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RadNet

RadNet Sampling Schedules

About RadNet
Terms You May Need

Under normal conditions, RadNet air monitors operate continuously and samples of air, precipitation, drinking water, and milk are analyzed on a routine schedule. In a radiological emergency, RadNet can send its portable (deployable) monitors to any U.S. location and increase its sampling and analysis on an emergency schedule.

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Continuous Air Monitoring

Under a routine schedule, RadNet's nationwide air monitoring network operates continuously. Continuous operation allows RadNet to fulfill its main mission, establishing a baseline for normal background levels of radiation in the environment. However, continuous operation also ensures that RadNet is available and ready to detect airborne radionuclides in the event of a radiological emergency.

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Sampling and Analysis Schedules

Routine Sampling Schedule

Medium

Sampling Frequency

Testing Frequency

Air Particulates

 Continuous (real time) Continuous (real time)

Precipitation

 As rainfall, snow or sleet occurs Monthly test of a composite sample

Drinking Water

 Quarterly Quarterly

Milk

 Quarterly Quarterly

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Routine Sample Analyses

Medium

Analyses

Air Particulates

Individual Samples

  • An initial screening for alpha and beta radiation may be performed on each filter in the field.
  • A gross beta analysis is performed.
  • If the beta concentration is greater than 1 pCi/m3, gamma spectroscopy and possibly other analyses are performed.

Annual Composite Samples

  • Isotopic plutonium (Pu), Americium (Am), and uranium (U) analyses are performed on a composite sample from each site.

Precipitation

Monthly and Quarterly Composite Samples

  • Tritium (H-3), gross beta, and gamma analyses are performed on all composite samples.

Drinking Water

Individual Samples

  • Iodine-131 (I-131) analyses are performed on one sample per station per year.

Composite Samples

  • Gross alpha and gamma are performed on all composite samples.
  • Strontium-90 (Sr-90) is performed on composite samples from selected stations.
  • U, Pu, and radium-226 (Ra-226) analyses are performed if there are elevated levels of gross alpha and beta radiation.
  • Radium-228 (Ra-228) is performed if there are elevated levels of Ra-226.

Milk

Individual Samples

  • Gamma analysis is performed on all samples.
  • Sr-90 analysis is performed on samples from selected stations.

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Emergency Schedule

The RadNet system can detect radionuclides from nuclear explosions, a nuclear accident, or environmental releases of nuclear materials. In a serious nuclear incident, RadNet can operate under an emergency schedule with accelerated sample collection and analysis. In an emergency, RadNet can also expand the area it monitors by deploying portable monitors.

RadNet sampling and analysis are particularly useful when an event such as an explosion or fire send significant levels of radionuclides into the air. Results of sample analysis can provide critical information on the type and concentration of radionuclides in particulates, precipitation, drinking water, and milk. Data from RadNet are useful in dose assessments, as health physicists estimate the immediate and long-term environmental and public health effects.

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