RadNet Air Monitoring Program in California
Learn about California's RadNet Air Monitoring system, its history, components, and operators' roles in monitoring radioactive materials in the air.
RadNet Air Monitoring Program in California
E N D
Presentation Transcript
US EPARadNet Program California Air Resources Board Monitoring & Laboratory Division Special Purpose Monitoring
Program History • 1950’s: Federal government begins monitoring radioactive materials due to nuclear weapons testing • 1970: Monitoring for rads is consolidated under the US EPA • 1973: US EPA creates a continuous monitoring system called “Environmental Radiation Air Monitoring System” (ERAMS) • 2005: ERAMS is renamed “RadNet”
What Is RadNet? • US EPA’s environmental radiation monitoring program • Categories monitored: • Drinking water • Precipitation • Pasteurized milk • Air
Air Monitoring • Sept. 11th brought renewed emphasis to monitoring airborne rads. • US EPA installed a nationwide network of 124 “near real-time monitors”
California RadNet Air Monitoring • California’s RadNet sites: • Anaheim • Bakersfield • Eureka • Fresno • Los Angeles • Riverside • Sacramento (Began late 2008) • San Diego • San Francisco • San Jose • San Bernardino (11th site as of early 2011)
The RadNet Monitor • Stand alone monitoring system developed by General Atomics • Acquires, stores and electronically transmits data to the National Air Radiation & Environmental Lab (NAREL)
RadNet Components (Met. & Comm.) Satellite antenna Temp. sensor Cellular antenna
RadNet Components (Sampling) Beta & gamma detectors Filter
RadNet Components (Data Mgmt.) Local Processing Unit (i.e. CPU)
Operator’s Role • Change and field test filters 2x / Week • Complete and submit “Air Particulate Sample Report” to NAREL • Occasionally assist US EPA with trouble shooting • Annually calibrate the RadNet w/ US EPA’s assistance
Perform background count w/ the geiger counter Remove and replace the exposed filter Perform count on exposed filter w/ the geiger counter Filter Change & Field Test
Sample Report Completion • After completion, mail form & filter to NAREL
Interesting Links • Japanese Nuclear Emergency Webpage http://www.epa.gov/japan2011/index.html • USEPA Envirofacts – RadNet Data http://iaspub.epa.gov/enviro/erams_query_v2.simple_query • RadNet Operator Webpage http://www.epa.gov/narel/radnet/operators/
Thanks for watching. Contact: Whitney Okabayashi (916) 324-3997