BetaShape: An improved code for calculating beta radiation decay spectra

Radioactive decay occurs in unstable nuclides with an excess of protons or neutrons in the nucleus. Accurate knowledge of the decay process is vital in the nuclear industry where it is used in waste processing, storage, powerplant decommissioning or adherence to Directives such as 2013/59/Euratom on basic safety standards for protection against ionising radiation. A common form is beta minus (β-) decay where neut...

A new facility for ambient-like aerosols

Particulate matter (PM) in air – such as dust, soot, and smoke – poses risks to both human health and the environment. It is estimated that over 500,000 deaths in Europe every year are caused by PM exposure and areas of high PM concentration are associated with reduction in life expectancy of 12-36 months. PM is typically monitored by air monitoring networks which connect many in-situ stations. The EU Air Quality ...

Developing the technology to accurately measure ammonia

Ammonia (NH3), a colourless, reactive gas, can cause substantial health damage due to its adverse effects on air quality. Once released into the atmosphere, it can form fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that has been linked to tens of thousands of premature deaths annually. It can also be absorbed by soils and plants, damaging the biodiversity of sensitive ecosystems. It is one of five pollutants covered by the Nati...

Improving the measurements used to protect atmospheric ozone

Ozone, comprised of three linked oxygen atoms, is generated in the stratosphere by the action of solar radiation on oxygen gas, and absorbs 99% of the sun’s biologically harmful UV-B radiation (280 - 315 nm) that is a cause of skin cancers in humans. A rare molecule, it is concentrated in a band around 20-25 km above sea level, the ‘ozone layer’. Its levels are measured by spectrophotometers, or spectroradiometer...

Mobile radiation detectors for public security

Ionizing radiation can cause sickness or even death in those exposed to it. Nuclear incidents can arise by accident or, potentially, by direct acts of terrorism. In both scenarios an accurate knowledge of the amount and type of radiation present is important to allow appropriate decisions and introduce countermeasures. Static radiation monitors offer excellent coverage for areas of national security such as airpo...

Improving Europe’s response to nuclear incidents

Major nuclear disasters are rare but when they occur large amounts of radionuclides, are released. In 1986 explosions at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (NPP) covered an area of Europe greater than 200 000 km2 with radioactive caesium and other radioactive nucleotides. Twenty-five years later, in 2011, a tsunami disrupted the Fukushima plant sending radioactive iodine and caesium into the atmosphere and ocean, c...

Robust sulfur dioxide emissions monitoring

Air pollution remains the main environmental factor in human ill-health, with about 400,000 premature deaths attributed to ambient air pollution annually in the EU. Industrial processes account for a sizeable share of polluting emissions, including sulfur dioxide (SO2 ), produced by burning fuels containing sulfur compounds and waste incineration. This toxic gas contributes to the formation of particulate aerosol...

Fit for purpose emissions testing

Air pollution remains the main environmental factor in human ill-health, with about 400,000 premature deaths attributed to ambient air pollution annually in the EU. Industrial processes account for a sizeable share of polluting emissions, including sulfur dioxide (SO2 ), produced by burning fuels containing sulfur compounds and waste incineration. This toxic gas contributes to the formation of particulate aerosol...

Standard to certify zero gas purity

The 2008 Air Quality Directive and related legislation measurably improved Europe’s air quality. For example, a 2018 analysis noted a 54 % reduction in early deaths due to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution. Nonetheless, almost all Europeans remained exposed to polluted air, at the cost of 400,000 premature deaths a year in the EU-28, about 54,000 attributable to NO2. NOx, the generic term for nitrogen and oxygen c...

New measurement capabilities to protect the marine environment

The EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) aims to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems by limiting underwater noise from man-made activity, such as shipping or construction work, which can adversely affect marine wildlife. The sources of greatest environmental concern radiate most of their sound energy in the low frequency range 20 Hz to 1 kHz. However, the response of hydrophones, that are used to detect...