Validation of a method for measurement of 14C in air and its application for estimation of 14C levels around Tarapur nuclear site

A method for the determination of 14C in air was validated with 4 N NaOH solution as absorbent medium. The chemical yield of the whole analytical process of precipitation of BaCO3 and re-absorption of released CO2 on acidification was determined by 14C spike experiments. A mean analytical recovery of 84.2% with a standard deviation of 7.21% was achieved. The propagated relative uncertainty of the method was 11.9%. The application of the method for routine monitoring around a nuclear facility was demonstrated through extensive air sampling in the vicinity of Tarapur Atomic Power Station, India. The 14C specific activity ranged between < 0.25 and 0.39 Bq g−1 C with a 5 year mean of 0.28 Bq g−1 C.