EPA APPROVED METHODS - (Drinking Water)
Prescribed Procedures for Measurement of Radioactivity in Drinking
Water,
EPA 600 4-80-032, August 1980
- 900.0 Gross Alpha and Gross Beta
- 901.1 Gamma Emitting Radionuclides
- 903.0 Alpha Emitting Radium Isotopes
- 903.1 Radium-226 Radon Emanation Technique
- 904.0 Radium-228
- 905.0 Radioactive Strontium
- 906.0 Tritium
- 908.0 Uranium-Radiochemical Method
Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods,
EPA SW-846
- 9310 Gross Alpha and Gross Beta
- 9315 Alpha Emitting Radium Isotopes
- 9320 Radium-228
Std. Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater
- 7500-Rn Radon
ASTM International
- D5174-02 Trace Uranium by Pulsed-Laser Phosphorimetry
OTHER METHOD REFERENCES
• Eichrom Technologies, Inc. - Solid Phase Separations
• U.S. DOE, Environmental Measurements Laboratory, EML
Procedures Manual, HASL-300
MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVELS
Drinking Water: (40CFR141.66) - Updated Based Upon Final
Radionuclides Rule 66 FR 76708, December 7, 2000, (Vol. 65, No. 236)
• Gross Alpha Activity - MCL = 15 pCi/L
(*Not including Radon and Uranium)
• Combined Radium-226 and Radium-228
(*Sum of the individual concentrations) - MCL = 5 pCi/L
• Total Uranium - 30 ug/L
• Beta Particle and Photon Activity - Concentration resulting in an
annual dose to the total body or any internal organ greater than 4 millirem/yr. (Note: Monitoring is not required for most suppliers.)
MCLs for systems determined to be vulnerable to beta and photon
contamination are:
• Gross Beta (minus natural K-40) - 50 pCi/L
• Tritium - 20,000 pCi/L
• Strontium-90 - 8 pCi/L
Soil and Other Environmental Media:
There are no universal MCLs for soil and sediment. Allowable levels are determined by assessing the dose or risk posed to the environment or public.
These levels vary depending upon the specific isotopes present, exposure
pathways and future use of the contaminated area.
COMMON REPORTING CONVENTIONS
Radioactivity measurements involve counting the characteristic atomic disintegrations of an isotope followed by complex statistical calculations. Each
measurement has its own minimum detectable concentration or MDC –
which varies depending upon sample amount and elapsed time of the measurement. Therefore, each sample result consists of three different values:
(1) the calculated activity; (2) the total propagated uncertainty (TPU); and
(3) the MDC, which is reported as: (Activity, +/- TPU, MDC). An example of
this would include Radium-228 = 6.2 +/- 1.8, 0.95 pCi/L. (*Because of the
extreme sensitivity of nuclear measurements, test results are sometimes
reported in scientific notation. For drinking water analysis, counting uncertainty is reported in lieu of TPU.)
COMMON REPORTING UNIT CONVERSIONS
The SI unit for radioactivity is the Becquerel (Bq):
1Bq=2.7 x 10E-11 curie (Ci)
1Ci-3.7 x 10E10 Bq
1pCi/L=1 x 10E-9 u Ci/ml
E.g., 1 picocurie (1 pCi)=1 x 10E-12 Ci
The SI unit for radiation is the sievert (Sv):
1 Sv = 100 rem
Common Prefixes for units:
10-3 = milli m
10-6 = micro μ
10-9 = nano n
10-12 = pico p
NOMENCLATURE
If you want to refer to a certain isotope, you write it like this: AXZ.
Here X is the chemical symbol for the element, Z is the atomic number, and A is the number of neutrons and protons combined, called
the mass number. For instance, ordinary hydrogen is written 1H1,
deuterium is 2H1, and tritium is 3H1. If you want to talk, rather than
write, about an isotope, you usually use the name of the element plus
the mass number: 12C6 or 12C would be called “Carbon 12.”
THE PACE ANALYTICAL DIFFERENCE
From our investment in facilities, technology and personnel – to our
extensive experience in radiochemistry analysis – we are dedicated
to providing consistent, reliable analytical services to our clients. Pace
Analytical operates a nationwide network of laboratories, service centers and satellite operations – providing project support for thousands
of industry, consulting, engineering and government professionals.
PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT
Our reliable, courteous and knowledgeable staff can
assist with all your project needs.
For more information, contact:
PH: (724) 850-5600
FAX: (724) 850-5601
PACE ANALYTICAL RADCHEM LABORATORY
WASTE CHARACTERIZATION
NUCLEAR QUALITY ASSURANCE
NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
DRINKING WATER ANALYSIS
WASTEWATER ANALYSIS
SITE REMEDIATION
Pace Analytical Services, Inc.
Pittsburgh Laboratory
1638 Roseytown Road
Suites 2, 3 & 4
Greensburg, PA 15601
www.pacelabs.com
RADIOCHEM_OCT2008_001
RADIOCHEMISTRY
all the EXPERTISE AND Testing Services You Need in ONE Company
Half-lives widely differ from one radioactive material to another
and range from a fraction of a second to millions of years.
Working Together to Protect Our Environment and Improve Our Health
Pace Analytical Services began providing radiochemistry testing in 2002 with the acquisition of the radiochemistry laboratory located in
the Westinghouse-Waltz Mill facility in Madison, PA. Since that time, Pace Analytical has significantly expanded its laboratory scope of
services and accreditations and has moved into its new 18,000 sq. ft state-of-the-art facility. Pace Analytical serves the radiochemistry
testing needs of some of the largest organizations in the United States who are actively involved in the monitoring of radioactivity.
Every day our employees demonstrate their commitment to a cleaner environment — one that supports a better, safer and healthier
life for everyone.
The Pittsburgh Radiochemistry Laboratory provides testing services to meet the requirements of the following radiologically
sensitve programs:
• Safe Drinking Water Act
• State Private Well Testing Initiatives
• Clean Water Act
• NRC Site Decommissioning
• NRC Environmental Monitoring
• The Global Nuclear Power Industry
PACE’S RADIOCHEMISTRY TESTING QUALIFICATIONS
Pace Analytical’s radiochemistry credentials rest on a rock solid base
of accumulated radiochemistry experience and a reputation for quality that is both well deserved and well documented. Objective proof
of this commitment to quality is available upon request.
TESTING DATA/QUALITY ASSURANCE
Pace Analytical’s radiochemistry laboratory’s quality assurance
program meets the strict requirements of industry regulatory
agencies. Pace also undergoes regular internal and external
quality assurance audits. Our laboratory’s rigorous testing ensures protocol integrity throughout the project and provides
quality, defensible data. The accumulated professional experience of Pace’s laboratory and project management staff totals
more than 25 years of exemplary performance in analytical and
radiochemistry services and support.
Our QA/QC procedures ensure process integrity throughout the analytical process. Experienced chemists maintain
the highest quality standards and productivity in the following areas:
• Sample tracking
• Sample preparation
• Quality Assurance Plans
• Gamma counting
• Statement of Qualifications
• Alpha isotopic analysis
• Recent PE Performance
• Alpha and beta counting
• Certificate of Insurance
• Analytical flexibility
• Standard Operating Procedures
• Data analysis
• Method Detection Limit Studies
• Quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) and data
• Summary of Project Experience
reporting/management
• Client References and Referrals
• Turnaround time