Investigation on Gross α and β Radioactivity of Environmental Samples in Nantong in Recent Years

Objectives To get the message of natural radioactivity level in environmental samples and accumulate the baseline data in Nantong.

Methods Collecting atmospheric ash, aerosols, drinking water and food in the environment of Nantong, and monitoring the level of gross alpha and gross beta radioactivity.

Results The gross alpha activities in aerosol were (0.23~1.65) mBq/m³, and the gross beta activities were (0.32~2.60) mBq/m³ in Nantong in 2014-2017, and the gross alpha and gross beta activities in atmospheric sediment were (4.7~44.0) Bq/m² and (37.1~104.0) Bq/m², respectively. The average annual gross alpha radioactivities of drinking water in Nantong were (0.009~0.050) Bq/L, and the gross beta radioactivities were (0.060~0.124) Bq/L. The mean range of gross alpha and gross beta radioactivities in various foods were (0.40~11.72) Bq/kg and (31.99~130.74) Bq/kg, respectively. The different between different samples were not significant.

Conclusions In recent years, no significant change has been observed on gross α and β radioactivity in the deposited atmospheric ash, aerosols, drinking water and food, and no artificial polluted nuclide has been observed. The living environment in Nantong was safe.