Loss of radioactivity in radiocesium-bearing microparticles emitted from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant by heating

Okumura, Taiga*; Yamaguchi, Noriko*; Dohi, Terumi   ; Iijima, Kazuki  ; Kogure, Toshihiro*

Radiocesium-bearing microparticles (CsP) substantially made of silicate glass are a novel form of radiocesium (RCs) emitted from the Fukushima Dai-ichi NPP. CsPs have a potential risk of internal radiation exposure caused by inhalation. Radiation-contaminated waste (Rcw) including CsPs is being burned in incinerators; therefore, this study has investigated the responses of CsPs to heating in air. The radioactivity of CsPs gradually decreased from 600 C and was almost lost when the temperature reached 1000 C. The size and spherical morphology of CsPs were almost unchanged after heating, but Cs including RCs, K and Cl were lost, probably diffused away from the CsPs. When the CsPs were heated together with weathered granitic soil that is common in Fukushima, the RCs released from CsPs was sorbed by the surrounding soil. From these results, it is expected that the radioactivity of CsPs will be lost when Rcw including CsPs is burned in incinerators.