environmental laboratory accreditation course for radiochemistry presented by minnesota department...

Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Course for Radiochemistry

Presented byMinnesota Department of HealthPennsylvania Department of Environmental ProtectionU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyWisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene

About this course

This radiochemistry course was coordinated by Susan Wyatt of the MN Dept of Health Environmental Laboratory Certification program in 2006 -2007 to fill an existing gap in the USEPA certification officer’s training course.

The course was presented in three locations nationwide beginning in Minnesota in September 2006; then Pennsylvania in December 2006; and finally, Arizona in February 2007.

The instructors

Jeff Brenner, MN Dept of Health

Michella Karapondo, USEPA

John Lorenz, MN Dept of Health

Richard Sheibley, PA Dept of Env Protection

Lynn West, WI State Lab of Hygiene

Susan Wyatt, MN Dept of Health

Course Organization

Pre Test: basic knowledge 3 ½ days instruction

USEPA requirements Radiation theory & safety Radiochemistry instrumentation, &

methods PT samples

Data review

Course Objectives

Gain knowledge sufficient to assess laboratories NELAC compliance USEPA SDWA compliance

Nurture awareness of newer radiochemistry technologies and methods

Recent Legislation

Michella Karapondo

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Drinking Water Program Update

December 2006OGWDW, TSC

Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water

Develop drinking water regulations Set drinking water standards Proficiency testing criteria Approve drinking water methods

Evaluate and develop analytical methods Alternate testing procedures (ATPs)

Implement laboratory certification program Radiochemistry audits NELAC

What do we do?

National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC)

OGWDW endorsement of NELAC 2002 letter from OGWDW supports use of

NELAC standard Drinking water accreditation must

be as stringent as USEPA’s certification Certification by method AND analyte vs.

technology/analyte or analyte group Drinking water requires use of defined

methods Performance based methods are NOT ALLOWED! New methods allow for some laboratory flexibility

Proficiency Testing (PT) Program for Drinking Water

EPA -setstandardsUSEPA Criteria Document

NIST/NVLAP

A2LA Accredits providers

PT Providers

Conducts PT StudiesLaboratoriesAnalyze PT Samples

CO/AA - Reviews PT Results

Note that EPA terminology is different – Performance Evaluation – PE Study

Where can I find PT criteria?

Regulatory acceptance limits are in the CFR Called “Performance Evaluation” in the CFR

Inorganic criteria: 40 CFR 141.23(k)(3)(ii) VOC criteria: 40 CFR 141.24(f)(17)(i) and (ii) for

vinyl chloride SOC criteria: 40 CFR 141.24(f)(19)(i)(B) Lead/copper criteria: 40 CFR 141.89(a)(1)(ii)(A)

and (B) DBP criteria: 40 CFR 141.131(b)(2) – NOTE that

the 2005 CFR does not have the updated DBP criteria!

NELAC FoPT Tables http://www.epa.gov/nelac/pttables.html

Radiochemistry Audits for EPA Region, State and Tribal Laboratories

TSC currently supports through extramural monies

State laboratories needing certification are currently audited using a contractor May not be an option in the near future

We are working with the regions to find alternate funding

Drinking Water Methods

Developed by TSC and ORD Other government agencies

USGS Review methods from voluntary consensus

method standard bodies ASTM, Standard Methods, AOAC

Approved through the regulatory process

Evaluating Methods: The Alternate Testing Program

40 CFR 141.27 allows “alternate analytical techniques”

MUST have written permission from EPA A letter from EPA OR Publication in the Federal Register

ATPs are national – there are no lab specific ATPs for drinking water

For drinking water protocol, call Sample Control Center at 703-461-2100

Questions? Contact [email protected]

Alternate Testing Program (ATP)

M e tho d sub m itte d to EPA

Is the m e tho de q u iva le n t toa n a p p ro ve dDW m e tho d ?

Le tte r issue d sta ting m e tho dm a y b e use d

M e tho d is p ro p o se d in Fe d e ra lRe g iste r

Eva lua te d b y Te c hn ic a l Sta ff

Ye s No

Is the m e tho dsu ita b le fo r

DrinkingWa te r?

No

Ye s

Le tte r se n t to sub m itte rre je c ting m e tho d

ATP letters will be posted on OGWDW’s web site

Where can I find approved methods?

Approved methods are listed in CFR Inorganic methods: 40 CFR 141.23 Organic methods: 40 CFR 141.24 Methods for radioactivity: 40 CFR 141.25 Lead and copper: 40 CFR 141.89 Disinfection by-products: 40 CFR 141.131

BUT, the CFR is published only once a year! Keep an eye on the Federal Register!

Approved methods are listed on OGWDW’s web site http://www.epa.gov/safewater/methods/methods.html Some EPA methods are available in PDF format

National Environmental Monitoring Index (NEMI)

National Environmental Monitoring Index (NEMI)

Database of methods applicable for monitoring water for chemical and microbiological pollutants http://www.nemi.gov/

Useful for comparing/contrasting methods Caution! NEMI may not always contain

correct/approved version of method Can search by analyte, matrix, CAS number,

and/or regulatory requirement Public release October 2002 – announced by

joint USGS/USEPA letter

NEMI Search – General

NEMI Search – By Regulation

Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

Authorizes EPA to set enforceable health standards for contaminants in drinking water affects all public water systems serving at

least 25 people or having at least 15 service connections

required that the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations be drafted

amended in 1977, 1979, 1980, 1986, and 1996 (reauthorized and amended).

How does OGWDW decide what to regulate?

1996 SDWA amendments changed the process

Contaminant Candidate List (CCL)

Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring (UCMR)

Regulatory Determination

Regulatory Promulgation

Regulatory Implementation

Six Year Review

Regulations

Proposal

Public Comment

Final Rule

Federal Register Published daily by the Office of Federal

Register (National Archives and Records Administration – NARA)

Notices, Proposed & Final Rules Preamble

An explanation of rule Contact person Docket information How to submit comments (for proposed rules)

Rule The legal requirements Only lists changes

Available on line at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html

FR Citation (69 FR 18166 April 6, 2004)Preamble to Proposed Methods Update Rule

Language in Proposed Methods Update RuleFR Citation (69 FR 18166 April 6, 2004)

* * * Indicates no change in current rule language

Dockets

Proposed rule dockets contain supporting documents & public comments

Final rule docket also has Agency response to public comments

Docket number is listed in preamble Electronic access to dockets at:

http://www.regulations.gov

Want to know when something is published?

Subscribe to EPA’s ListServer to receive an email when a FR is published relating to “water”

https://lists.epa.gov/read/all_forums/

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

Codification of Federal Rules Rule language (no preamble)

50 titles - Drinking Water is Title 40 Published volumes are updated annually

Title 40 is updated on July 1 Incorporates all changes from previous year Available on line at

http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html e-CFR updated frequently (not official

version)

Radionuclides in Drinking Water

1976 - First radionuclide regulations promulgated

1986 - Amendments to SDWA 1991 – Proposed regulations and revisions 1996 – Amendments to SDWA 2000 – Final radionuclide rule

Analytical Methods for Radionuclides62 FR 10168 – March 5, 1997

Approved the use of 66 radionuclide methods 54 methods proposed in the 1991 radionuclide

proposed rule 12 methods from public comments to that

proposal Full list of approved radionuclide methods

in 40 CFR 141.25

Radon64 FR 59246 - November 2, 1999 – Proposed Rule

Will apply to community water systems using ground water or mixed ground and surface water

Multi-Media Mitigation program plans to address indoor air along with water

Rn-222 MCL = 300pCi/L or AMCL = 4,000pCi/L

first application of AMCL and MMM

Final rule 2007 or 2008 (or longer!)

Radionuclide Rule65 FR 76708 - December 7, 2000 - Final Rule

Retains previously regulated radionuclide contaminants and adds requirements for Uranium

Applies to community water systems Initial monitoring complete by December 31,

2007 Sets a new MCL for Uranium – 30 ug/L Retains the existing MCLs for:

Radium-226/228 – 5 pCi/L Gross alpha particle radioactivity – 15 pCi/L

Includes Ra-226, but excludes radon and uranium Beta particle and photon activity – 4 mrem/yr

Set all Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) for radionuclides at 0 pCi/L

Analytical Method for Uranium69 FR 52176 - August 25, 2004

Approves three ICP-MS methods for Uranium EPA 200.8, revision 5.4 SM 3125 (20th edition) ASTM D 5673-03

Method Update Rule69 FR 18166 – April 6, 2004 – Proposed Rule

OGWDW and OST Updated versions of ASTM & SM methods

Too many to list here ATP methods Micro ATP Protocol EPA 327 – Chlorine dioxide Proposed withdrawal of Atrazine immunoassay Georgia Tech method for the

determination of Ra-226 and Ra-228 by Gamma-ray Spectrometry

Final rule – 2006

Footnote 14: "The Determination of Radium-226 and Radium-228 in Drinking Water by Gamma-ray Spectrometry Using HPGE or Ge(Li) Detectors," Revision 1.2, December 2004. Available from the Environmental Resources Center, Georgia Institute of Technology, 620 Cherry Street, Atlanta, GA 30332-0335, USA, Telephone: 404-894-3776. This method may be used to analyze for radium-226 and radium-228 in samples collected after January 1, 2005 to satisfy the radium-226 and radium-228 monitoring requirements specified at 40 CFR 141.26.

Resources OGWDW Website

http://www.epa.gov/safewater

Drinking Water Regulations http://www.epa.gov/safewater/regs.html

Laboratory Certification http://www.epa.gov/safewater/labcert Lab Cert Manual as PDF

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/labcert/labindex.html

Federal Register http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html

Resources

PT Tables http://www.epa.gov/nelac/pttables.html

Drinking Water Methods http://www.epa.gov/safewater/methods/methods.html

NEMI http://www.nemi.gov/

Radionuclide page http://www.epa.gov/safewater/radionuc.html

39

Implementation: USEPA Drinking Water Certification Program

Michella Karapondo

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Topics

Authority for certification program Program structure and responsibilities Certification process and criteria

Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

Authorizes EPA to set enforceable health standards for contaminants in drinking water affects all public water systems serving at least 25

people or having at least 15 service connections required that the National Primary Drinking Water

Regulations be drafted amended in 1977, 1979, 1980, 1986, and 1996

(reauthorized and amended).

Required By 40 CFR 141.28

“… Samples may be considered only if they have been analyzed by a laboratory certified by the state except that measurements for alkalinity, calcium, conductivity, disinfectant residual, orthophosphate, pH, silica, temperature, and turbidity, may be performed by any person acceptable to the state.”

Primary Enforcement Responsibility 40 CFR 142.10

A State has primacy when…

it has adopted drinking water regulations no less stringent than the Federal regulations

it has adopted and implemented adequate procedures for enforcement of State regulations

inventory of systems sanitary surveys establishes and maintains a certification

program and designates a CPM certified by the Administrator responsible for the State certification program

USEPA Drinking Water Laboratory Certification Program

Program began in 1978 Hierarchical structure Fundamentals are in the “Lab Cert

Manual” Accept NELAP accreditation

Certification Program Structure

USEPAOffice of Ground Water and Drinking Water

Regional Laboratory/Certification Program

State Laboratory & Certification Program

Private Laboratories

Certification Officers

Should have a college degree in the discipline for which they certify and have recent laboratory experience

Should have experience in lab evaluation and quality assurance

Successfully complete EPA's Certification Officers training course

Scope of Certification

Certification is granted in three areas:

Chemistry Microbiology Radiochemistry

Certification Process

Lab requests(re)certification

Lab passesPT sample

Set date for on-site

audit

On-site auditperformed

Lab certified for3 years

On-site Evaluation Items

Are promulgated/approved methods being used and requirements of those methods met

Are appropriate quality systems in place Are personnel qualified and sufficient Are laboratory facilities, equipment and

supplies adequate Data audit

Types of Certification

Certified Provisionally certified Not certified

Interim certification

Certified

Laboratory meets the regulatory performance criteria by: using promulgated/approved methods demonstrating successful performance on

proficiency testing (PT) samples by analyte and method on an annual basis

passing an on-site audit at least every 3 years Must notify Certification Authority of any

major changes (personnel, equipment, facility)

Provisional Certification

Laboratory has minor deficiencies but is still able to consistently produce valid data using promulgated/approved methods

insufficient/incomplete documentation failed PT samples

Provisional Status

Must notify clients of status For a limited time -- follow up is

needed to ensure corrective actions have been completed or lab should be decertified

May continue to analyze compliance samples; however:

Not Certified

Laboratory possesses deficiencies and cannot consistently produce valid data has a lack of equipment/personnel makes changes in method(s) that are not

allowed is unresponsive to deficiencies found resulting in

provisional certification

Interim Certification

Impossible or unnecessary to perform an on-site audit for new contaminants when no PT sample is available when constraints prevent a timely on-site

audit Lasts until next scheduled on-site or a PT

sample is available

More Drinking Water Lab Cert Information

OGWDW Web site http://www.epa.gov/OGWDW/

TSC Lab Cert Team E-mail addresses: [email protected] [email protected] (micro) [email protected] [email protected]

Web Sites

Laboratory Certification Manual, 5th Edition:http://www.epa.gov/safewater/labcert/index.html

Methods (listed by contaminant/method number):http://www.epa.gov/safewater/methods/methods.html

CFR: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/index.html

DW REGS: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/regs.html

List of state certified labs: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/labs/index/html

Proficiency Testing Samples:http://www.epa.gov/nelac/pttables.html

Proficiency Testing

Richard Sheibley

Pennsylvania Dept of Env Protection

Proficiency Testing Requirements

Gross alpha Gross beta Tritium Radium 226 Radium 228 U (natural)

Strontium 89 Strontium 90 Gamma

Barium 133 Cesium 134 Cesium 137 Cobalt 60 Zinc 65

Iodine 131

At least one successful PT study per year (two PTs per year for NELAC compliance) for the following:

ERA WS RadCheMTM PT Study Activity Ranges *

Activity Range Units Activity Range Units

Strontium-89/90 Iodine-131

Strontium-89 10 - 70 pCi/L Iodine-131 1 - 30 pCi/L

Strontium-90 2 - 45 pCi/L

Gamma Emitters NaturalS

Barium-133 9 - 110 pCi/L Radium-226 1 - 20 pCi/L

Cesium-134 10 - 96 pCi/L Radium-228 1 - 20 pCi/L

Cesium-137 20 - 240 pCi/L U-Nat 2 - 70 pCi/L

Cobalt-60 10 - 120 pCi/L U-Nat (mass) 3 - 104 ug/L

Zinc-65 30 - 360 pCi/L

GroSS Alpha/Beta TritiuM

Gross Alpha (Th-230) 3 - 75 pCi/L Tritium 1000 - 32000 pCi/L

Gross Beta (Cs-137) 4 - 65 pCi/L

* As defined by NELAC criteria adopted from National Standards for Water Proficiency Testing Studies Criteria Document , EPA NERL-Ci-004, 12/30/98

PT Study Activity Ranges

ERA WS RadCheMTM PT Study Acceptance Criteria *

Acceptance Limits (pCi/L) Acceptance Limits (pCi/L)

Strontium-89/90 Iodine-131

Strontium-89 10 - 70 8.66 Iodine-131 1 - 30 3.46

Strontium-90 2 - 45 8.66 > 15 - 30 5.20

Gamma Emitters NaturalS

Barium-133 9 - 50 8.66 Radium-226 1 - 20 0.260(AV)

> 50 - 110 0.173(AV) Radium-228 1 - 20 0.433(AV)

Cesium-134 10 - 96 8.66 U-Nat 2 - 35 5.20

Cesium-137 20 - 100 8.66 > 35 - 70 0.173(AV)

> 100 - 240 0.0866(AV) U-Nat (mass) (ug) 3 - 52.2 7.76

Cobalt-60 10 - 100 8.66 > 52.2 - 104 0.173(AV)

> 100 - 120 0.0866(AV)

Zinc-65 30 - 50 8.66

> 50 - 360 0.173(AV)

GroSS Alpha/Beta TritiuM

Gross Alpha (Th-230) 3 - 20 8.66 Tritium 1000 - 4000 294(AV 0.0933 )

> 20 - 75 0.433(AV) > 4000 - 32000 0.173(AV)

Gross Beta (Cs-137) 4 - 50 8.66

> 50 - 65 17.3

AV = Assigned Value

* As defined by NELAC criteria adopted from National Standards for Water Proficiency Testing Studies Criteria Document , EPA NERL-Ci-004, 12/30/98

PT Study Acceptance Criteria

ERA WS RadCheMTM PT Study General Information

Every PT standard offered quarterly

WS Radiochemistry studies are open for 45 days

All analytes must be reported in triplicate for each method to be evaluated

PT results may be submitted online, by fax or mailed

Particpants can select a copy of their evaluation report sent to any accrediting authority

ERA will evaluate a laboratory's results after study completion. However, each data point will be flagged as received after study results were posted.

Please feel free to contact ERA with questions or concerns:

Sherrod KyleManager, RadiochemistryEnvironmental Resource AssociatesP: 800-372-0122F: [email protected]

PT Vendor information

ERA WS RadCheMTM PT Study Common Issues

Method 903.0 and similar coprecipitation methods- Method measures all alpha emitting Radium isotopes and is not specific to Ra-226

- For samples and PT standards that contain Ra-228, its decay product Ra-224 is separated also

- Ra-224 and its alpha emitting progeny (Rn-220, Po-216 and Po-212) will bias Ra-226 results high

- This issue is magnified when Ra-228 is set high and Ra-226 is set low in their activity range

- Solution: Allow Ra-224 (3.66 d halflife) and progeny isotopes to decay prior to counting for Ra-226

Gross Beta vs. Cs-137- When Cs-137 is used as a calibration isotope for gross beta analysis, conversion and auger electrons

from Ba-137 should be accounted for when assigning gross beta activity values

- This results in an additional 9.34% gross beta activity vs. Cs-137 activity

- Failure to account for the added gross beta activity can result in a high bias in reported results

Reporting Problems- Reporting laboratory results is considered part of the PT evaluation. Below are common problems:

- incorrect units

- results not in triplicate

- incorrect decay correction

- unaccounted dilution factors

Most common lab deficiencies for Rad PTs

Other ERA RadCheMTM PT Studies

The MRaDTM Multi-Media Radiochemistry PT program offers the following additional matrices

and an expanded isotope list for laboratories to demonstrate capabilities semiannually:

Soil Radionuclides Air Filter Radionuclides Air Filter Gross Alpha/Beta

Actinium-228 Plutonium-238 Americium-241 Uranium-234 Gross Alpha (Th-230)

Americium-241 Plutonium-239 Cesium-134 Uranium-238 Gross Beta (Cs-137)

Bismuth-212 Strontium-90 Cesium-137 Uranium-Total

Bismuth-214 Thorium-234 Colbalt-60 Uranium-Total (mass)

Cesium-137 Uranium-234 Manganese-54

Lead-212 Uranium-238 Plutonium-238

Lead-214 Uranium-Total Plutonium-239

Potassium-40 Uranium-Total (mass) Strontium-90

Vegetation Radionuclides Water Radionuclides Water Gross Alpha/Beta

Americium-241 Strontium-90 Americium-241 Uranium-234 Gross Alpha (Th-230)

Cesium-137 Uranium-234 Cesium-134 Uranium-238 Gross Beta (Cs-137)

Colbalt-60 Uranium-238 Cesium-137 Uranium-Total

Curium-244 Uranium-Total Colbalt-60 Uranium-Total (mass) Water Tritium

Potassium-40 Uranium-Total (mass) Plutonium-238 Tritium

Plutonium-238 Plutonium-239

Plutonium-239 Strontium-90

We also provide radiochemistry LCS/MS standards for use as laboratory batch QC for any

of our PT isotopes

PTs in other matrices/quality control stds

Radiochemistry Theory

John Lorenz

Minnesota Department of HealthPublic Health Laboratory

What we’ll cover

What radiation is Types of radiation What radioactive material is Characteristics of radioactive

material and radiation How these characteristics affect

analytical methods MCLs and analysis (counting)

BasicsBasicsOfOf

RadiationRadiation

RADIATION IS ENERGY TRAVELING THROUGH SPACE IN THE FORM OF WAVES OR PARTICLES

RADIATION IS ENERGY TRAVELING THROUGH SPACE IN THE FORM OF WAVES OR PARTICLES

LIGHTLIGHT

MICROWAVESMICROWAVES

HEATHEAT

NUCLEAR RADIATIONNUCLEAR RADIATION

IONIZING vs. NON-IONIZINGIONIZING vs. NON-IONIZING

LIGHTLIGHT

MICRO- WAVESMICRO- WAVES

HEATHEAT


}

}

NON-NON-IONIZINGIONIZING

IONIZING IONIZING +

-

HEATING

IONIZATION

Ionization causes health risksIonization causes health risks

Ionization allows detectionIonization allows detection

Ionization

RadioactiveRadioactive

MaterialMaterial

Radioactive Material - Atoms

Nucleus with protons and neutrons Orbiting Electrons

Radioactive Material – Unstable Nuclei

Improper balance of protons and neutrons in nucleus

Excess energy

Radioactive Material – Unstable Nuclei

Reaches balance by giving off particles or energy waves or both

Radioactive Material Radiation The change of nuclear structure is called

nuclear disintegration

Radioactive material

Atoms emitting radiation are radioactive material

A specific type of radioactive material is called a radionuclide


Atoms emitting radiation are radioactive material

A specific type of radioactive material is called a radionuclide

Radium-226 Radium-228 Uranium-238 Strontium-90 Hydrogen-3

Isotopesof Radium


Radionuclides can be represented in alternative ways

226Ra = 226Ra = Ra-226

228Ra = 228Ra = Ra-228

239U = 239U = U-238

90Sr = 90Sr = Sr-90

3H = 3H = H-3(Tritium)Tritium)

88

88

92

38

1

Uranium Decay Series

U-2384.5E9 y

Ra-2261600 y

Rn-2223.8 d

Po-2183.1 min

Pb-21426.8 min

Bi-21419.9 min

Po-214160 usec

Pb-21022.3 y

Bi-2105 d

Po-210138 d

Pb-206Stable

Th-23424 d

Pa-234m1.2 m

U-234240,000 y

Th-23077,000 y

Thorium Decay Series

Ra-2285.8 yr

Ac-2286.1 hr Th-228

1.9 yr

Ra-2243.7 day

Rn-22056 sec

Po-2160.15 secPb-212

11 hr

Bi-21261 min

Po-212310 nsec

Pb-208Stable

Th-2321.4E10 yr

Tl-2083.1 min

Types of Radiation

Alpha ()

Beta ()

Gamma ()

ALPHA DECAYALPHA DECAY

NUCLEUSNUCLEUS++

PARTICLE FORM OF RADIATION PARTICLE FORM OF RADIATION

LOW PENETRATING ABILITY LOW PENETRATING ABILITY

SIGNIFICANT INTERNAL EXPOSURE HAZARD SIGNIFICANT INTERNAL EXPOSURE HAZARD

BETA DECAYBETA DECAY


MODERATE PENETRATING ABILITY MODERATE PENETRATING ABILITY

PREDOMINANTLY INTERNAL EXPOSURE HAZARD PREDOMINANTLY INTERNAL EXPOSURE HAZARD

NUCLEUSNUCLEUS- -

GAMMA DECAYGAMMA DECAY

WAVE FORM OF RADIATION WAVE FORM OF RADIATION

SIGNIFICANT PENETRATING ABILITY SIGNIFICANT PENETRATING ABILITY

EXTERNAL & INTERNAL EXPOSURE HAZARD EXTERNAL & INTERNAL EXPOSURE HAZARD

NUCLEUSNUCLEUS

Characteristics of Radioactive Material

Activity Half-life (T1/2) Random decay Geometry Ingrowth

Activity - quantitative

Number of nuclear disintegrations per unit time Disintegrations per second (dps) Disintegrations per minute (dpm)

May be more or less than one radiation emission per disintegration

Not dependent on temperature or pressure

Activity Units Curie (Ci)

37 billion (3.7x1010) disintegrations per second

Millicurie (mCi = 10-3 Ci)Microcurie (Ci = 10-6 Ci)Nanocurie (nCi = 10-9 Ci)Picocurie (pCi = 10-12 Ci)

1 pCi = 2.22 dpmFemtocurie (fCi = 10-15 Ci)

Activity Units

Becquerels (Bq)1 disintegration per second (dps)Megabecquerels

1 Bq = 27 pCi


Proportional to number of atoms of radionuclide

Atoms

Atoms

Atoms

Activity

Activity

Activity


Proportional to number of atoms of radionuclide

For Ra-226

1 g

2 g

4 g

1Ci

2 Ci

4 Ci


Inversely proportional to half-lifeInversely proportional to half-life

T1/2

T1/2

T1/2Activity

Activity

Activity

Half-life (T1/2)

The time it takes for half of the radioactive material to decay, or

The time it takes for decay to reduce the amount of radioactive material by 50%.

Half-life

Iodine – 131: Half-life = 8 days

TodayActivity = 200 pCi

After 8 DaysActivity = 100 pCi

After 16 DaysActivity = 50 pCi



T1/2

T1/2

T1/2Activity

Activity

Activity



For 2.7x10For 2.7x102121 atoms atoms

30 y

1600 y

4.5 billion y .00000035 Ci

1 Ci

53 CiCs-137

Ra-226

U-238

Half-life (T1/2)

T1/2 for commonly used radionuclides U-238U-238 4.5 billion years Cs-137 30.1 years Co-60 5.3 years P-32 14.3 days I-131 8.0 days Rn-222 3.8 days Ac-228 6.3 hours F-18 1.8 hours

Half-life - Implications

Decay correction: Accounts for difference from collection until analysis

Prompt analysis needed for short half-life nuclides like Actinium-228

(T1/2 = 6.1 hr, surrogate for Ra-228)

Decay constant () relates activity to half-life = ln2/T1/2

A = N

Radioactive Decay is Random

Variable decay rate Source of uncertainty in analysis

Reduced by longer timeReduced by higher activity

Decay Rate(dpm)

20 -

15 -

10 -

5 -

0 -

1:00 2:00 3:00

GeometryGeometryRefers to the shape and position of the sourceRefers to the shape and position of the source

Must be consistent for calibration and Must be consistent for calibration and analysisanalysis

Ingrowth One radionuclide decays to another

radionuclide If decay product has much shorter

half-life, its activity will equal parent’s activity

0

100000

200000

300000

400000

500000

600000

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Uranium Decay Series

U-2384.5E9 y

Ra-2261600 y

Rn-2223.8 d

Po-2183.1 min

Pb-21426.8 min

Bi-21419.9 min

Po-214160 usec

Pb-21022.3 y

Bi-2105 d

Po-210138 d

Pb-206Stable

Th-23424 d

Pa-234m1.2 m

U-234240,000 y

Th-23077,000 y

Thorium Decay Series

Ra-2285.8 yr

Ac-2286.1 hr Th-228

1.9 yr

Ra-2243.7 day

Rn-22056 sec

Po-2160.15 secPb-212

11 hr

Bi-21261 min

Po-212310 nsec

Pb-208Stable

Th-2321.4E10 yr

Tl-2083.1 min

Short half-life decay product as surrogate for longer lived parent (Ra-228 Ac-228)

After chemical processing, allowing ingrowth of shorter lived nuclides

Ingrowth - Implications

CharacteristicsCharacteristics

OfOf

RadiationRadiation

Characteristics of Radiation

Physical form (Particle or wave) Energy (keV or MeV) Charge Mass Penetration

Range Attenuation

Interactions with matter Velocity

ALPHA DECAYALPHA DECAY

NUCLEUSNUCLEUS++


LOW PENETRATING ABILITY LOW PENETRATING ABILITY

SIGNIFICANT INTERNAL EXPOSURE HAZARD SIGNIFICANT INTERNAL EXPOSURE HAZARD

BETA DECAYBETA DECAY


MODERATE PENETRATING ABILITY MODERATE PENETRATING ABILITY

PREDOMINANTLY INTERNAL EXPOSURE HAZARD PREDOMINANTLY INTERNAL EXPOSURE HAZARD

NUCLEUSNUCLEUS- -

GAMMA DECAYGAMMA DECAY

WAVE FORM OF RADIATION WAVE FORM OF RADIATION

SIGNIFICANT PENETRATING ABILITY SIGNIFICANT PENETRATING ABILITY

EXTERNAL & INTERNAL EXPOSURE HAZARD EXTERNAL & INTERNAL EXPOSURE HAZARD

NUCLEUSNUCLEUS

Other Origins for RadiationOther Origins for Radiation

Electron CaptureElectron Capture

Internal ConversionInternal Conversion

BremsstrahlungBremsstrahlung

Radiation Penetration

alphaalpha

betabeta

gammagamma

PaperPaper PlasticPlastic LeadLead

Penetration - Implications

and intimate contact with detection medium

emitters can pass through containers and detector housings

Self-absorption can occur in material containing radionuclides

Self AbsorptionSelf Absorption

1 mg. solids1 mg. solids9 dpm9 dpm5 cpm5 cpm



How absorption related to thicknessaffects counting efficiency

Detector DetectorDetector

Energy

Each radionuclide emits specific energies.

Energies are expressed in keV or MeV.

and emitting radionuclides have discrete energies

emitting radionuclides have a continuous spectrum of energies

energies are for the most part distinctly higher than energies

Energy - Implications

Energy spectrometry allows identification of or emitters

Energy “windows” can be set to look at only the energies of interest

1

10

100

1000

10000

100000

1000000

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

Energy (keV)

Co

un

ts (

#)

Gamma Spectrum – fish from North Sea and Irish Sea

Beta+ Spectrum From Cu-64

RadiationRadiationInteractionsInteractions

IonizationIonization

Radiation interactions

Transfer of energy to electrons and particles

Continuous interaction through matter Gradual loss of energy Definite range

rays Interactions are probabilistic May transfer all or part of energy


and particles Continuous interaction through matter Gradual loss of energy Definite range

e-

e-

e-


rays Photoelectric, Compton, Pair Production Interactions are probabilistic May transfer all or part of energy

e-e-

e-

Radiation interactions - implications

Ionization may result in electrical pulse, light pulse, or electron hole pairs Pulse size proportional to energy released

and particles All energy released in detector Pulse is proportional to energy of radiation

rays If all energy transferred, pulse is proportional

to energy of radiation

Drinking WaterDrinking Water

MCLsMCLs

MEASURING RADIATIONMEASURING RADIATION

RADIATIONRADIATION SOURCESOURCERADIATIONRADIATION SOURCESOURCE

ROENTGEN (R) the energy of radiation

REM biological dose equivalent

RAD radiation energy absorbed by any material

1 R 1 R 1 R 1 R 1 RAD1 RAD1 RAD1 RAD 1 REM1 REM1 REM1 REM

AVERAGE ANNUAL EXPOSUREAVERAGE ANNUAL EXPOSURE

70 mREM70 mREM70 mREM70 mREM 300 mREM300 mREM300 mREM300 mREM

NATURALLYOCCURRINGNATURALLYOCCURRING

HUMAN-MADEHUMAN-MADE

Basis for Radionuclide MCL’s

Risk is based on amount of radiation, not mass of radioactive material

Most concentration limits stated as activity rather than mass.

Activity not measured directly Can use radiation emitted to

determine the activity.

MCL Ra-226 + Ra-228

Ra-226 + Ra-228 MCL = 5 pCi/L

Equivalent to:5x10-12 g/L Ra-2261.8x10-14 g/L Ra-228

MCL – Gross Alpha

Gross Alpha Excludes Uranium and Radon Includes Radium MCL = 15 pCi/L

MCL – Uranium

Uranium

MCL expressed in mass concentration

MCL = 30 ug/L

MCL – Man-Made Beta and Gamma Emitters

Man-Made Beta and Gamma Emitters

MCL expressed in exposure to people drinking the water

MCL = concentration that would result in 4 mrem/yr

Assumes 2 L/day consumption Assumes 70 kg person

MCL – Man-Made Beta and Gamma Emitters

H-3 and Sr-90 MCLs specified in 40 CFR 141.66 H-3 = 20,000 pCi/L Sr-90 = 8 pCi/L

Others are calculated Examples Cesium-137 = 200 pCi/L Iodine-131 = 3 pCi/L Carbon-14 = 2,000 pCi/L

AnalysisAnalysis

Factors in determining concentration

Count rate Counter Efficiency Geometry Self-absorption Intensity (# of rays per

disintegration) Half-life Sample mass

Analysis Against MCLs Use radiation emitted to determine the

quantity of material. Measure counts per minute or per second Convert to disintegrations per minute

(dpm) or disintegrations per second (dps) Counter efficiency Geometry Emissions per disintegration (intensity) Self-absorption

Convert to pCi Half-life correction Determine concentration

Analysis Against MCLs

Count rate found by detector (cpm)

DetectorSensitivity

Radiation emissionRate (pm)

AnalysisActivity

(dpm) pCi

CollectionActivity

(pCi)

Geometry Intensity

Self-Absorption Sample

Size

Decay

SampleConcentration

Summary

Ionization allows detection Counting technology is determined

by properties of radiation MCLs are based on activity

concentration Radiochemistry vocabulary and

technology are different from chemical methods

Radiation Safety

John Lorenz

Minnesota Department of HealthPublic Health Laboratory

What we’ll cover

Radiation Basics - Review Radiation Health Effects Radiation Sources in the Lab Protecting Yourself from Radiation Protecting Yourself from

Contamination Regulatory requirements

What has formed our opinions about radiation?

BasicsBasicsOfOf

RadiationRadiation

IONIZING vs. NON-IONIZINGIONIZING vs. NON-IONIZING

LIGHTLIGHT

MICRO- WAVESMICRO- WAVES

HEATHEAT


}

}

NON-NON-IONIZINGIONIZING

IONIZING IONIZING +

-

HEATING

IONIZATION

Activity Units

Curie (Ci) 3.7x1010 disintegrations per

second Microcuries (Ci) Nanocuries (nCi) Picocuries (pCi)

Becquerels (Bq) 1 disintegration per second Megabecquerels

MEASURING RADIATIONMEASURING RADIATION

RADIATION SOURCERADIATION SOURCE







1 R 1 R 1 RAD1 RAD 1 REM1 REM

AVERAGE ANNUAL EXPOSUREAVERAGE ANNUAL EXPOSURE

70 mREM70 mREM 300 mREM300 mREM300 mREM300 mREM

NATURALLYOCCURRINGNATURALLYOCCURRING

HUMAN-MADEHUMAN-MADE

NATURAL SOURCESNATURAL SOURCES

TERRESTRIAL

COSMIC

MEDICALMEDICAL

INDUSTRIALINDUSTRIALCONSUMER CONSUMER PRODUCTSPRODUCTS

POWER POWER GENERATIONGENERATION

Sources of Radiation – U.S.

Exposure limits

Radiation Workers Radiation Workers 5,000 mrem/yr5,000 mrem/yr

General publicGeneral public100 mrem/yr100 mrem/yr

Declared Pregnant WorkersDeclared Pregnant Workers500 mrem/pregnancy500 mrem/pregnancy

Radiation Radiation Health Health EffectsEffects

RADIATION EXPOSURERADIATION EXPOSURE

ACUTE DOSEACUTE DOSE: : largelarge dose withindose within short periodshort periodACUTE DOSEACUTE DOSE: : largelarge dose withindose within short periodshort period

CHRONIC DOSECHRONIC DOSE: : small or continuoussmall or continuous dose over long perioddose over long periodCHRONIC DOSECHRONIC DOSE: : small or continuoussmall or continuous dose over long perioddose over long period

12 1

2

3

4567

8

9

10

11

RADIATION EFFECTSRADIATION EFFECTS

SOMATIC EFFECTSSOMATIC EFFECTS: : those effects on the exposedthose effects on the exposed individualindividual

GENETIC EFFECTSGENETIC EFFECTS: : those effects on the futurethose effects on the future generations of the exposedgenerations of the exposed individualindividual

RADIATION EFFECTS

Cell DeathCell Death Cell RepairCell Repair Incomplete RepairIncomplete Repair

RADIATION EFFECTSRADIATION EFFECTS

< 10,000 MREM NO DETECTABLE EFFECTS < 10,000 MREM NO DETECTABLE EFFECTS

50,000 MREM DETECTABLE BLOOD CHANGES 50,000 MREM DETECTABLE BLOOD CHANGES

100,000 MREM ONSET OF RADIATION SICKNESS 100,000 MREM ONSET OF RADIATION SICKNESS

600,000 MREM FATAL WITH NO MEDICAL ATTENTION600,000 MREM FATAL WITH NO MEDICAL ATTENTION

OBSERVABLE EFFECTS NOT IDENTIFIED

EFFECTS MASKED WITHIN OTHER HEALTH EFFECTS

KEEP EXPOSURE AS LOW AS REASONABLE

LOW LEVEL RADIATION

RadiationRadiationSourcesSourcesIn TheIn TheLabLab

Radiation sources in the lab

AssumeAll the MN Public Health Lab’s

radioactive materialIn your office (1 meter from you)For one working year

Your exposure will be less than 50 mrem

ProtectingProtectingYourself Yourself FromFromRadiationRadiation

EXPOSURE vs. EXPOSURE RATEEXPOSURE vs. EXPOSURE RATE

1 HOUR

2 HOURS

4 HOURS

8 HOURS

100 mR

200 mR

400 mR

800 mR

100 mR

HR

•EXPOSURE IS THE TOTAL AMOUNT •EXPOSURE IS THE TOTAL AMOUNT

•EXPOSURE RATE IS THE AMOUNT PER UNIT TIME•EXPOSURE RATE IS THE AMOUNT PER UNIT TIME

EXPOSURE R A T E

EXPOSURE R A T E

E

XPOSU

RE

E

XPOSU

RE

S

TAYTI

ME

S

TAYTI

ME

TIME vs. EXPOSURETIME vs. EXPOSURE

1 HOUR

2 HOURS

4 HOURS

8 HOURS

100 mR

200 mR

400 mR

800 mR

RADIATIONRADIATION SOURCESOURCE

1 FOOT

100 mR/hr

E

XPOSU

RE

E

XPOSU

RE

S

TAYTI

ME

S

TAYTI

ME

DISTANCE vs. EXPOSURE

EE XX PP OO SS UU RR EE

RADIATIONRADIATION SOURCESOURCE

5 FEET5 FEET

2 FEET2 FEET

1 FOOT1 FOOT

EECCNNAATTSSIIDD

4 mR4 mR

25 mR25 mR

100 mR100 mR

SHIELDING vs. EXPOSURE

EEXXPPOOSSUU

RR

EE

SS

HHIIEELLDDIINNGG

Radiation Transmittance

alphaalpha

betabeta

gammagamma

PaperPaper PlasticPlastic LeadLead

ProtectingProtectingYourself FromYourself FromContaminationContamination

RADIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATIONRADIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION

RADIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION IS

RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

PRESENT IN AN UNDESIRABLE LOCATION

RADIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION IS

RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

PRESENT IN AN UNDESIRABLE LOCATION

CONTAMINATIONCONTAMINATION

NOT SO GOODNOT SO GOOD

RADIOACTIVE LIQUID

RADIOACTIVE LIQUID

GOODGOOD

WHY IS CONTAMINATION A CONCERN?WHY IS CONTAMINATION A CONCERN?

Exposure continues until contamination is removed

Contamination can spread to other people and objects

Contamination can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, skin absorption, or open wound absorption

Exposure continues until contamination is removed

Contamination can spread to other people and objects

Contamination can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, skin absorption, or open wound absorption

CONTAMINATION CONTROLCONTAMINATION CONTROL

BOUNDARIES

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

REMOVAL & SEGREGATION

COVERINGS

BOUNDARIES

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

REMOVAL & SEGREGATION

COVERINGS

RegulatoryRegulatoryRequirementsRequirements

Regulatory Authority

Nuclear Regulatory CommissionNuclear Regulatory Commission- 10 CFR 19- 10 CFR 19- 10 CFR 20- 10 CFR 20- Specific License- Specific License- General Licenses- General Licenses

Agreement StatesAgreement States- Comparable State Regulations- Comparable State Regulations- State Licenses- State Licenses

Required Postings

10 CFR 19.11 or equivalent requires posting of NRC Form 3 or equivalent 10 CFR 19 and 10 CFR 20 License and License conditions Operating procedures related to

licensed activities Violation notices

Required Postings

Required for rooms housing more than: 10,000 Ci H-3; 100 Ci Cs-137; 1 Ci Ra-226 0.001 Ci Am-241

CautionRadioactive Materials

Required Postings – Greater Hazards

CautionRadiation Area

CautionHigh Radiation Area

Grave DangerVery High Radiation Area

CautionRadioactive

Materials

Cs-137

247 pCi

9/18/06

Labeling

Required for containers holding more than: 1,000 Ci H-3; 10 Ci Cs-137; 0.1 Ci Ra-226 0.001 Ci Am-241

CautionRadioactive

Materials

Cs-137

247 pCi 0.01 R/hr

9/18/06

Radiation Dosimetry

Required if more than 10% of exposure limit is likely

May be specified in license

Worn on trunk of body

Radiation Surveys

Frequency specified by license

Trained personnel

Appropriate instrumentation

Other Requirements

Training – according to license

Emergency procedures

Audits

Inventory, receipt and disposal

Recordkeeping

Summary

Everyone is exposed to radiation

Environmental radiochemistry uses low activities

Exposures should be kept ALARA

Postings and labels indicate where radiological hazards may be present

State and federal regulations and licenses define radiation protection requirements

environmental laboratory accreditation course for radiochemistry presented by minnesota department...

Documents

drinking water methods

epa methods

cfr inorganic methods

drinking water epa

approved methods

standard methods

tsc slide

analytical methods