4.4.3 Air monitoring

Radionuclides released to the atmosphere are usually attached to air particulate matter (APM) and aerosols. Since the concentration of the latter is usually low, the in-situ measurements are only effective in the cases of significant release of radionuclides, such as the cases of nuclear power plant accidents. Gamma monitors are commonly set in networks of monitoring stations as to detect anomalous concentrations of radionuclides in such cases.

Additionally, sampling stations are installed to collect APM on filters at different locations, which are further submitted for laboratory gamma spectrometry analysis.