Development and application of a method for discriminating the influence of radon progenies in air from aerial radiation monitoring data

The influence of gamma-rays from natural nuclides (particularly the radon progenies, 214Pb and 214Bi) must be excluded from aerial radiation monitoring (ARM) data to accurately estimate the deposition of artificial radionuclides. A method for discriminating the influence of the radon progenies in air from the ARM data was developed. Two types of detectors with different crystal sizes were installed in a helicopter. The gamma-ray responses of these detectors were simulated using EGS5. The influence of the radon progenies in air was excluded using the relation between the count rates of six NaI (Tl) detectors and a LaBr3 detector. The discrimination method was applied to the ARM data obtained from around the Sendai and Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Stations. To verify the validity of the discrimination method, the dose rate estimated from the ARM data was compared with the dose rate measured using a NaI survey meter at a height of 1 m above the ground. The application of the discrimination method improved the dose rate estimation, showing the validity of the discrimination method. [Display omitted] •A discrimination method of the aerial radiation monitoring data was developed.•The method was applied to the data around the Sendai and Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station.•The application of the method improved the dose rate estimation.