Advanced methods for abatement and monitoring of radioiodines

Research on advanced methods for abatement and monitoring of radioactive iodines is being conducted at the Whiteshell Nuclear Research Establishment of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited. A photochemical method has been developed to remove radioactive iodine from off-gas streams. The method uses ultraviolet light to convert organic iodides (RI) to molecular iodine (I2), which can be removed more easily by conventional air-cleaning methods. Alternatively, the I2 may be removed by reaction with ozone, which forms solid iodine oxides that deposit inside the scrubber. Research on monitoring airborne I2 by intracavity He-Ne laser-induced fluorescence is also described. (author)