ABSTRACT
Air particulate matter collected on a filter of high retention is counted with a beta-sensitive detector to establish the gross concentration of the beta emitters present in the sampled ambient air. Since a given beta emitter cannot be present in a greater concentration than the gross beta concentration of a mixture of unidentified radionuclides, a gross analysis may eliminate the need for a more time-consuming and expensive analysis for specific radionuclides. While the gross beta analysis does not yield specific information on the radionuclide composition of the sample, it is simple, rapid, and inexpensive. Since it can be performed in the field using relatively simple equipment, gross beta measurement of air samples is widely employed as a screening technique.
