Measurement of ¹²⁹I Concentration in Air Particle Samples by AMS

A method to measure the ¹²⁹I concentration in air particle samples using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) was developed, together with the preparation of AgI target of air particle. At the same time, for the radiation monitoring use, the measurement of ¹²⁹I during the accident of Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP) with the AMS facility at the China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE) was discussed. The results show that early on March 26, 2011, ¹²⁹I derived from FNPP accident had arrived and the ¹²⁹I concentration in air particle increased greatly relative to the background value. Due to the long half life of ¹²⁹I and its accumulation in the NPP, the event of regional high ¹²⁹I concentration occurs in the early stage of the nuclear leakage, consequently, and the ¹²⁹I-AMS measurement has great potential to be applied for radiation safety and emergency monitoring.