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Cilj ovog istraživanja je da se gama spektrometrijskom metodom odredi sadržaj prirodnih radionuklida (40K, 238U, 226Ra i 232Th) i proizvedenog radionuklida 137Cs u vodi i sedimentu reke Save. Uzorci su prikupljani u jesen 2022. godine na području Beograda, Sremske Mitrovice i Kupinova. Rezultati ispitivanja ukazuju da je na ispitivanim lokacijama u sedimentu reke Save najzastupljeniji radionuklid 40K (423 Bq/kg), dok je prosečan sadržaj 238U (31 Bq/kg), 226Ra (31 Bq/kg) i 232Th (32 Bq/kg) bio znatno niži. Sadržaj antropogenog radionuklida 137Cs u sedimentu je bio u opsegu od 2,1 Bq/kg do 6,1 Bq/kg. U svim ispitivanim uzorcima rečne vode sadržaj radionuklida bio je nizak.

Oko pola efektivne doze koju stanovništvo primi usled izlaganja jonizujućem zračenju potiče od radona i njegovih potomaka, te je problematika radona važna u oblasti zaštite od zračenja. Takođe, kao hemijski inertan gas, radon je našao primenu u izučavanju životne sredine kao traser za razne geološke i atmosferske procese. Jedna od važnih primena radona je u problematici praćenja gasova koji izazivaju efekat staklene bašte (greenhouse gases – GHG). Pokazano je da se poznavanjem fluksa radona iz zemlje i priraštaja koncentracije radona i koncentracije GHG u istom vremenskom intervalu tokom noći može odrediti fluks GHG. U ovom radu će biti prikazani odabrani rezultati nedavno završenog traceRadon projekta čiji je cilj bio razvijanje metrološki sledivih metoda merenja niskih koncentracija radona u atmosferi u granicama od 1 Bq m-3 do 100 Bq m-3, kao i unapređenje tehnika merenja i samo merenje radonskog fluksa, što će doprineti ispitivanju klimatskih promena kroz obezbeđivanje pouzdane procene fluksa GHG. Takođe, u sklopu projekta, vršila se procena do koje mere se radon u spoljašnjoj sredini i radonski fluks mogu koristiti za procenu radonskih prioritetnih oblasti., Since more than a half of the effective doses from all ionising radiation come from the exposure to radon and its progeny, radon is important in the field of radiation protection. Being a noble gas and therefore chemically inert, radon is also used as a tracer for different geological and atmospheric processes. Radon is of interest to climate scientists for monitoring greenhouse gasses (GHG). It is known that by knowing radon flux and variation of radon and GHG concentration at the same period of time during the night, it is possible to estimate emission of GHG. In this paper, the most important results of recently finished EMPIR project 19ENV01 traceRadon “Radon metrology for use in climate change observation and radiation protection at the environmental level” are presented. Project aimed to develop the capability to measure SI traceable radon activity in the range of 1 Bq m-3 to 100 Bq m-3, suitable for outdoor radon measurements, to develop the capability for traceable radon flux measurements in the field which is important for GHG emission estimates and validation of contemporary radon flux models. Within the project it was investigated to what extent radon flux and outdoor radon data could be used for estimation of radon priority areas.

Doses from the exposure to outdoor radon are typically an order of magnitude smaller than those from indoor radon, causing a greater interest on investigation of the latter for radiation protection issues. As a consequence, assessment of radon priority areas (RPA) is mainly based on indoor radon measurements. Outdoor radon measurements might be needed to guarantee a complete estimation of radiological risk and may help to improve the estimation of RPA. Therefore, authors have analysed the available literature on outdoor radon to give an overview of outdoor radon surveys and potential correlation with indoor radon and estimation of RPA. The review has shown that outdoor radon surveys were performed at much smaller scale compared to indoor radon. Only a few outdoor radon maps were produced, with a much smaller density, covering a larger area, and therefore putting doubt on the representativeness of this data. Due to a large variety of techniques used for outdoor radon measurements and requirement to have detectors with a high sensitivity and resistance to harsh environmental conditions, a standardised measurement protocol should be derived. This is no simple endeavour since there are more applications in different scientific disciplines for outdoor radon measurements compared to indoor radon.

In accordance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 - General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, the laboratory needs to verify its ability to properly perform methods before introducing them, by ensuring it can achieve the required performance (article 7.2.1.5). Also, if a laboratory carries out a sampling of a material, it needs to have a sampling plan and method established (article 7.3.1). In laboratories dealing with radionuclide content testing, the sampling does not affect the testing results directly, but the sampling procedure has to ensure that the taken and later measured sample adequately represents the tested material. In order to verify the sampling procedure for the needs of radiological tests, a sampling of red mud (13 samples) and bauxite ore (6 samples) was conducted in the aluminum factory “Alumina ltd”, Zvornik, Bosnia and Herzegovina in June 2021. In accordance with the established sampling procedure, GPS coordinate and ambient dose rate were recorded for each sample. Samples were prepared in accordance with IAEA, TRS 295 (1989), placed into identical PVC cylindrical boxes and measured by HPGe gamma spectrometer. Spectra of bauxite and red mud were recorded in 10 consecutive measurements for 21000 s and 6000 s, respectively, in order to achieve good statistic. For the purpose of sampling procedure verification, the counting rates per unit mass in the recorded spectra were compared. For each measurements series, the total counts in the spectrum as well as individual energies mean value and standard deviations were calculated. After the measurements were completed, the average of the each individual series mean values and the associated/corresponding standard deviation were calculated. The measurement result of each individual series is considered satisfactory if, taking into account the calculated standard deviation, it is within +/- two standard deviations of the average of the mean values. The obtained results verified t

In accordance with ISO/IC 17025:2017 testing laboratory shall have a procedure for monitoring the validity of results that includes regular participation in interlaboratory comparisons. Interlaboratory comparison RADON2021 was organized in the frame of the bilateral project between Serbia and Montenegro: “Measurement of the radon equilibrium factor in typical residential buildings in Serbia and Montenegro and harmonization of radon measurement techniques” in order to assess congruence of different measurement techniques, and then harmonize methods in case of inconsistencies. Harmonization is of particular importance to neighboring countries, in order to avoid inconsistencies in the classification of radon risk zones along border areas. Thus, six regional laboratories took part in the intercomparison – three from Belgrade and one from Novi Sad, Serbia; one from Podgorica, Montenegro; one from Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. All laboratories participated in the indoor radon measurements, while 4 laboratories measured radon in the soil also. The measurement methods and detectors used by the laboratories were: • for air - EPA 402-R-92-004 – Indoor Radon and Radon Decay Product Measurement Devices Protocols, ch. 3.1. with RAD 7, RTM1688-2 and RadonEye; EPA 520/5-87-005 – 1987 EERF Standard Operating Procedures for Rn-222 Measurement Using Charcoal Canisters, ch. 3.4 using adsorption on charcoal canisters; ISO 11665- 4: Measurement of radioactivity in the environment – Air Radon 222: Part 4: Integrated measurement method for determining average activity concentration using passive sampling and delayed analysis with Electretes, and • for soil gas - ISO 11665-11:2016 Measurement of radioactivity in the environment — Air: radon-222 — Part 11: Test method for soil gas with sampling at depth by using active devices RTM1688-2 and RAD 7. The measurements were performed in real conditions where the radon concentration varied following a typical daily variation. Indoor radon c

Background: Maps are important tools for geographic visualization of the state of the environment with respect to resources as well as to hazards. One of the hazards is indoor radon (Rn), believed to be the most important cause of lung cancer after smoking. In particular, as part of Rn mitigation policy and in compliance with the European Basic Safety Standards, EU Member States have to declare areas with elevated indoor Rn concentration levels. However, as this is done by national authorities according to individually chosen criteria, the resulting maps are not easily comparable.Objective: We aim to identify causes for the lack of compatibility of maps and suggest solutions for the problem.Design: This study draws from experiences of recent research projects, literature, and personal involvement of the authors in the discussions.Results: An overview is given on causes and effects of lack of compatibility between maps. Existing experiences are reported. Options for defining lack of compatibility and for identifying it are discussed. Methods for harmonization, that is, remediating lack of compatibility, are addressed.Conclusions: The difficulty of harmonization increases with the aggregation level of data which support maps. Harmonization is the more difficult, the higher aggregated the data are which support maps. In particular, harmonization of radon priority area maps is technically non-trivial, and theoretical efforts as well as practical tests will have to be undertaken.

Radon flux measurements provide information about how much radon rises from the ground toward the atmosphere, thus, they could serve as good predictors of indoor radon concentrations. Although there are many different mapping methods with many different input data, radon flux data are generally missing and are not included for the delineation of radon priority areas (RPA). The aim of this literature review is to investigate to what extent radon flux was used, or could be used, for the delineation of RPAs. Numerous factors influencing radon flux were identified, but quantifying their contribution to radon flux measurement still remains a challenge. Different methods and measuring devices were used for the determination of radon flux, thus it is necessary to identify possible inconsistencies in order to harmonise different radon flux measurements. Due to the complexity of radon flux measurements, only two countries were identified to have performed national surveys on outdoor radon, which were of much smaller scale compared to those on indoor radon. A positive correlation between radon flux and radon quantities, such as radon in soil gas and indoor radon, indicates that radon flux could be used as an input parameter for the estimation of RPA. By reviewing radon flux models, it was concluded that up-to-date modelled radon flux maps have reached excellent spatial resolution and will be further improved, hence, they could serve as an input for the estimation and delineation of RPA.

This paper aims to estimate a potential radiological risk from different kinds of coals used for domestic heating in Serbia, by measuring the activity concentration of radionuclides and radon exhalation rate. The obtained radon mass exhalation rate ranges from (5.3 ± 3.1) mBqkg–1s–1 to (70.3 ± 9.4) mBqkg –1s–1 and was highest for lignite type of coal. It is estimated that coal stored in the basement could contribute up to 50 Bqm–3 of indoor radon concentration at the ground level. Activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, 238U, 235U, and 210Pb in analysed coal samples agree with previously reported concentrations of coal used in Serbia. The values of radium equivalent concentration and external hazard index indicate that the used coal does not represent a significant radiation hazard.

This pa per aims to es ti mate a po ten tial ra dio log i cal risk from dif fer ent kinds of coals used for do mes tic heat ing in Ser bia, by mea sur ing the ac tiv ity con cen tra tion of radionuclides and ra don ex ha la tion rate. The ob tained ra don mass ex ha la tion rate ranges from (5.3 +/- 3.1) mu Bqkg-1s-1 to (70.3 +/- 9.4) mu Bqkg -1s-1 and was high est for lig nite type of coal. It is es ti mated that coal stored in the base ment could con trib ute up to 50 Bqm-3 of in door ra don con cen tra tion at the ground level. Ac tiv ity con cen tra tions of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, 238U, 235U, and 210Pb in ana lysed coal sam ples agree with pre vi ously re ported con cen tra tions of coal used in Ser bia. The values of radium equivalent concentration and external hazard index indicate that the used coal does not represent a significant radiation hazard.

The procedure of radioactive standards preparation by spiking selected matrices with a certified mixture of radionuclides and its validation is presented in this paper. The uncertainty budget of standard total activity was elaborated in details. The experimentally obtained efficiency curves, as well as comparison with the curves obtained by the efficiency transfer, are presented. Additionally, in order to confirm claimed homogeneity of prepared standard bulk materials, the efficiency versus density dependence for the individual gamma ray energies was checked for the same geometries and the results are presented. The results of the participation in recent IAEA PT scheme are discussed also. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd

U ovom radu su predstavljeni rezultati poređenja sadržaja prirodnih radionuklida u različitim uzorcima elektrofilterskog pepela, pepela sa deponija i šljake. Poređenje je izvršeno između rezultata dobijenih u redovnoj kontroli radioaktivnosti u radnoj i životnoj okolini TE „Kostolac“, TE „Kolubara“i TE „Nikola Tesla A“, koje sprovodi Laboratorija za zaštitu od zračenja i zaštitu životne okoline, Instituta za nuklearne nauke “Vinča“. Na osnovu merenja koncentracije prirodnih radionuklida u uzorcima elektrofilterskog pepela, pepela sa deponija i šljake, kao i na osnovu određenog odnosa između dobijenih vrednosti u uzorcima iz različitih termoelektrana, možemo da zaključimo da je ovaj otpadni materijal iz TE “Kostolac” izuzetno povoljan kao sirovina koja bi se koristila za proizvodnju građevinskog materijala i da daje približno dvostruko manji uticaj na gama indeks konačnog proizvoda u odnosu na otpadni material iz drugih termoelektrana., This paper presents the results of the comparison between the naturally occurring radionuclide content in different samples of fly ash, ash and slag. The comparison was conducted between the results obtained within the regular control of radioactivity in working and living environment of TE „Kostolac“, TE „Kolubara“ and TE „Nikola Tesla A“, which is performed by the Radiation and Environmental Protection Department of „Vinča“ Institute of Nuclear Sciences. Based on the activity concentration measurement in samples of fly ash, ash from the ash disposal dumps and slag, as well as based on the calclulated ratio between the values obtained for different coal fired powerplants, it can be concluded that this waste material from TE “Kostolac” is promising material as an additive in building material production and that it gives approximately twice as low contribution to the gamma index as those obtained from other two powerplants.

U radu su prikazani rezultati merenja ukupne alfa i ukupne beta aktivnosti u površinskim vodama, reke Sava, Kolubara i Turija koje se nalaze u okolini termoelektrana Nikola Tesla TENT A i Kolubara za 2018. i 2019. godinu, kao i rezultati ukupne alfa i ukupne beta aktivnosti u Savi i Dunavu u Beogradu, van uticaja termoelektrana. Prikazani su i rezultati merenja ukupne alfa i ukupne beta aktivnosti u drenažnim i prelivnim vodama u termoelektranama Nikola Tesla TENT A i Kolubara za 2018. i 2019. godinu i za termoelektranu Kostolac za 2018. i 2020. godinu. Rezultati analize prikazani u ovom radu su važni s obzirom na to da se stanovništvo u Srbiji dominantno snabdeva vodom iz reka koje se nalaze u okolini termoelektrana., The paper presents the results of gross alpha and gross beta activity measurement in the surface water Sava, Kolubara and Turija in the vicinity of the coal-fired power plants Nikola Tesla TENT A and Kolubara for 2018. and 2019., as well as the results of the gross alpha and beta activity in the Sava and Danube in Belgrade, outside the influence of power plants. The results of measuring the gross alpha and gross beta activity in drain and overflow waters in the power plants Nikola Tesla TENT A and Kolubara for 2018. and 2019. and for the power plant Kostolac for 2018. and 2020. are also presented. Analysis presented in this paper is important considering that the population in Serbia is predominantly supplied with water from rivers located in the vicinity of power plants.

U ovom radu su predstavljeni rezultati merenja jačine ambijentalnog ekvivalenta doze gama zračenja, izvršenih u toku redovnog monitoringa TE „Kostolac“, koje sprovodi Laboratorija za zaštitu od zračenja i zaštitu životne okoline, Instituta za nuklearne nauke “Vinča“. Jačina ambijentalnog ekvivalenta doze je merena u vazduhu na 1m iznad tla na određenim tačkama unutar lokaliteta termoelektrane i na deponijama pepela i šljake, istovremeno sa uzorkovanjem na istim lokacijama, korišćenjem dozimetra sa scintilacionom sondom. Takođe, tokom godina u kojima je vršen monitoring, vršena su i kontinualna merenja ambijentalnog ekvivalenta doze na lokacijama u naseljima u okolini TE „Kostolac“, korišćenjem termoluminescentnih (TLD) dozimetara. Analiziranjem dobijenih vrednosti tokom dužeg perioda kontinualnog i pojedinačnih merenja, dolazi se do zaključka o uticaju rada termoelektrane na životnu i radnu okolinu., This paper presents the results of measurements of the ambient dose equivalent rate of the gamma radiation performed within the regular monitoring of the coal-fired power plant „Kostolac“, performed by the Radiation and Environmental Protection Department of „Vinča“ Institute of Nuclear Sciences. Ambient dose equivalent rate is measured in the air, at 1 m height above the ground at defined sites within the territory of the power plant and the ash and slag disposal dumps, at the moment of sampling at these sites, using a dosimeter with a scintillation probe. Also, during the yearsin which the monitoring was performed, continuous measurements of the ambient dose equivalent on the location of settlements in the vicinity of the power plant were conducted, using termo luminescent dosimeters (TLD). The comparison of the long term measurements and measurements performed on the sampling sites, a conclusion about the influence of power plant on the living and working environment can be reached

U radu su prikazani rezultati određivanja koncentracije proizvedenih radionuklida 90Sr i 137Cs u rečnom sedimentu reke Dunav u Beogradu u 2020. godini. Rezultati su dobijeni u okviru sistematskog ispitivanja nivoa radioaktivnosti u životnoj sredini na teritoriji Beograda. Za analizu sadržaja 90Sr primenjena je radiohemijska metoda, dok je određivanje sadržaja 137Cs urađeno gamaspektrometrijskom analizom. Dobijene vrednosti proizvedenih radionuklida u rečnom sedimentu ne predstavljaju rizik po životnu sredinu, The paper presents the results of activity concentrations of 90Sr and 137Cs in the river sediment of the Danube in Belgrade for 2020. The results were obtained as part of a systematic examination of the radioactivity level in the environment in Belgrade. For determination of 90Sr content, radiochemical method was used, while determination of 137Cs content was done by gamma spectrometric analysis. The obtained values of artificial radionuclides in Danube river sediment do not pose a risk to the environment.

Thermal power plants, as potential pollutants that have a great impact on the environment, have, among other things, the obligation to conduct regular control of radioactivity in the living and working environment. Radionuclides that are naturally present in coal used to produce electricity are concentrated in combustion products (ash, slag, wastewater, etc.). As these products are disposed of in the environment, it is necessary to regularly perform measurements to control the presence of natural radionuclides in samples from the environment near thermal power plants. This paper will present the results of testing the content of natural radionuclides in the soil sampled at several locations in the vicinity of TPP "Nikola Tesla" A and TPP "Kolubara" in the period from 2016-2020 years. The measurements were performed in the Laboratory for Radiation Protection and Environmental Protection of the Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences, using the standard gamma spectrometry method after adequate sample preparation. The sampling locations were selected to cover the immediate surroundings of the thermal power plant, where the possible impact of the thermal power plant operation would be most noticeable. Also, sampling was performed at locations that are far from the thermal power plant itself, most often in populated areas, in order to ensure knowledge of the local natural level of radionuclide content in the soil. The measured concentrations of natural radionuclide activity in the soil were monitored over a number of years and a comparison was made between samples taken nearby and those taken away from the thermal power plant, as well as soil samples from other parts of Serbia and literature data. In that way, optimal monitoring of the impact of the thermal power plant operation on the environment is provided., Termoelektrane, kao potencijalni zagaĎivači koji imaju veliki uticaj na životnu okolinu, izmeĎu ostalog imaju i obavezu sprovoĎenja redovne kontrole radioaktivnosti u životnoj i radnoj sredini. Radionuklidi koji su prirodno prisutni u uglju koji se koristi za proizvodnju električne energije, bivaju koncentrisani u produktima sagorevanja (pepeo, šljaka, otpadne vode itd.). Kako se ovi produkti odlažu u životnu sredinu, potrebno je redovno vršiti merenja kojima se kontroliše prisustvo prirodnih radionuklida u uzorcima iz životne okoline u blizini termoelektrana. U ovom radu će biti prikazani rezultati ispitivanja sadržaja prirodnih radionuklida u zemljištu uzorkovanom na više lokacija u okolini TE “Nikola Tesla” A i TE “Kolubara” u periodu od 2016- 2020. godine. Merenja su izvšena u Laboratoriji za zaštitu od zračenja i zaštitu životne srednine Instituta za nuklearne nauke “Vinča”, standardnom metodom gama spektrometrije nakon adekvatne pripreme uzoraka. Lokacije uzorkovanja su odabrane na osnovu Programa kontrole radioaktivnosti, tako da pokrivaju neposrednu okolinu termoelektrana, gde bi eventualni uticaj rada termoelektrane bio najuočljiviji. TakoĎe, uzorkovanje je vršeno i na lokacijama koje su udaljene od same termoelektrane, najčešće u naseljenim mestima, da bi se obezbedilo poznavanje lokalnog prirodnog nivoa sadržaja radionuklida u zemljištu. Izmerene koncentracije aktivnosti prirodnih radionuklida u zemljištu su praćene tokom niza godina i vršeno je poreĎenje izmeĎu uzoraka uzetih u blizini i onih uzetih dalje od termoelektrane, kao i sa uzorcima zemljišta iz drugih krajeva Srbije i podacima iz literature. Na taj način, obezbeĎeno je optimalno praćenje uticaja rada termoelektrane na životnu sredinu

Aerosol sampling and monitoring of naturally occurring and artificial radionuclides is readily performed within the frame of Environmental radioactivity monitoring in the Republic of Serbia. It provides information important for the preservation of the public health and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. This type of monitoring has been performed in Institute of Nuclear Sciences Vinča for more than 30 years now. The radionuclides that are measured are: naturally occurring 210Pb, artificial radionuclide 137Cs and cosmogenic radionuclide 7 Be. Particle reactive radionuclides such as 210Pb and 7 Be have been used as atmospheric tracers for studying environmental processes such as cloud scavenging and precipitation [1], aerosol transit and residence times in the troposphere [2], and aerosol deposition velocities [3]. The fission product 137Cs is an indicator of anthropogenic pollution caused by nuclear weapon atmospheric tests and nuclear power plant accidents. Seasonal variation in 137Cs in air is an indicator of the stratosphere-troposphere exchange processes [4]. In most aerosol samples in later years, the activity concentration of 137Cs is below the minimal detectable activity and therefore it was not taken into the consideration in this paper. The activity concentration of 7 Be is dependent on the movements of large air masses and vertical mixing in the atmosphere and also was not discussed in this paper. In this paper, the activity concentration of 210Pb in aerosol samples, obtained over the period from 2014. to 2020., was discussed. Sampling is performed using constant air flow pumps and Whatman filter papers on 6 measuring stations distributed in various parts of the country. Three stations are in urban areas of cities of Belgrade, Vranje and Zaječar and other three are in rural areas (Palić and Zlatibor) or removed from the urban part of the city (Meteorological station in Vinča). The monthly composite sample from each sampling stat

Radon is the radioactive gas originating from the decay chain, mainly uranium and thorium series. The main source of population exposure to ionizing radiation (more than 80 %) is the natural radioactivity. Radon and its short lived progeny contribute with more than 50 % to the radiation dose received by the general population from all sources, and the World Health Organization has recognized radon as the second most important cause of lung cancer. The European Council has laid down a basic safety standards (BSS, Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom) for the protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionizing radiation, obliging member states, among other, to investigate the exposure of members of the public and workers to indoor radon, to develop a radon action plan and to inform the public about radon levels they are exposed to. As a consequence, this has led to increased number of indoor radon measurements in recent years. There are numerous methods for indoor radon measurement which can be performed either by direct measurement of radon or indirectly by measuring radon progeny, with or without radon presence. The choice of method used depends on the purpose of the measurements, available instrumentation and time. In order to assess the reliability of indoor radon measurement methods available in “Vinca” Institute of Nuclear Sciences, comparative measurement were conducted. Indoor radon concentration was measured in four working rooms in Vinca Institute, two offices and two laboratory premises, in the period of October-November 2020. In all locations continuous radon measurements were performed with tree different active measurement devices: RTM1688-2 and Radon Scout from SARAD GmbH, and RadonEye from RadonFTLAB, while integrated radon measurements were conducted with charcoal canisters. In addition, Equilibrium Equivalent Radon Concentration EERC was measured with radon progeny monitor RPM2200 (SARAD GmbH). Measurement by all active devices was performe

This paper aims to estimate a potential radiological risk from different kinds of coals used for domestic heating in Serbia, by measuring the activity concentration of radionuclides and radon exhalation rate. The obtained radon mass exhalation rate ranges from (5.3 ± 3.1) mBqkg–1s–1 to (70.3 ± 9.4) mBqkg –1s–1 and was highest for lignite type of coal. It is estimated that coal stored in the basement could contribute up to 50 Bqm–3 of indoor radon concentration at the ground level. Activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, 238U, 235U, and 210Pb in analysed coal samples agree with previously reported concentrations of coal used in Serbia. The values of radium equivalent concentration and external hazard index indicate that the used coal does not represent a significant radiation hazard.