A Brief Overview of Radiation and Analytical Water Testing for Radiological Contaminants. James Henitz Radioanalytical Services NJ Water Monitoring Council: January 24, 2018
Overview of Presentation What is radiation? What are the different types of radiation? How does it get into the water? Why do we monitor it? What are the testing capabilities to monitor it?
Radiation Transmission of energy, emitted in the form of a wave or a particle, through space. Ionizing vs. Non ionizing radiation Non-ionizing radiation examples: Radio waves, microwaves, visible light. Not a threat to human health. Ionizing radiation ionizes atoms and molecules, and can break chemical bonds. Can be harmful to living organisms.
Major Types of Ionizing Radiation Alpha Particle A helium nucleus emitted by an atomic nucleus containing 2 protons and 2 neutrons. Relative to other types of radiation, it has a high electrical charge (+2) and a large mass (4 amu). Beta Particle A high speed electron or positron usually emitted by an atomic nucleus undergoing radioactive decay. Very small in mass (1/1837 amu). Gamma Ray Penetrating, electromagnetic radiation emitted by atomic nuclei. Short wavelength.
Alpha Radiation Due to its relatively high mass and charge, the alpha particle can easily be shielded. Does not penetrate even a piece of paper. Does not penetrate your skin. However, if ingested, an alpha particle can cause a great deal of internal tissue damage. Examples of alpha emitters: Radium-226,Uranium isotopes, Thorium-230 Plutonium-239, Polonium-210
Beta Radiation Due to its low mass, a beta particle can usually penetrate the body. Within the body, beta particle travel is limited to 1/3 inch. Can cause significant damage to the lenses of the eyes. Can be shielded by a layer of clothing or a thin sheet of metal. Examples of beta emitters: Strontium-90, Cesium-137, Tritium
Gamma Radiation Strongly penetrating: Travels through entire body. Can only be shielded by very dense materials such a lead. Examples of gamma emitters: Iodine-131, Cesium-137, Americium-241, progenies of Radium-226 and Radium- 228.
Demonstration: Alpha Radiation
Demonstration: Beta Radiation
Demonstration: Gamma Radiation
How does radiation get into water? Certain rocks have naturally occurring radioactive elements that have long half-lives. (Thousands of years) As they decay, other radionuclides called daughter products being to form. These radionuclides accumulate in water sources.
Decay Chains
Geological Map of New Jersey Characteristic rocks of certain regions can predict what naturally occurring radionuclides might be present in water based on location.
Radioanalytical Testing Why do we test and monitor water? Health risks associated with extended exposure to ionizing radiation. EPA says there is a lifetime risk associated with drinking water that contains the maximum contaminant level for gross alpha activity and combined Radium-226 and Radium-228 activity. MCL Gross Alpha: MCL Combined Radium 15 pci/l 5 pci/l If 10,000 people consume 2 liters of contaminated water for 70 years Expect to see an increase of 1 additional fatal cancer per 10,000 people.
NJDOH Radioanalytical Services Testing Capabilities Have the capability to test for alpha, beta, and gamma emitting radionuclides. 3 gas flow proportional counters with 33 total detectors. Quantify gross alpha and gross beta activities. 9 High purity Ge, Gamma ray spectroscopy detectors. Identify and quantify gamma activities of specific radionuclides. 4 alpha spectroscopy detectors. Identify and quantify alpha activities of specific radionuclides. 1 Liquid scintillation counter. Measure Tritium and Radon-222 activities. Mostly perform drinking water methods, but many of our drinking water methods can be used for raw, surface, or waste water.
Field ID Number New Jersey Department of Health Environmental and Chemical Laboratory Services PO Box 361, Trenton, NJ 08625-0361 Phone: 609-530-2820 RADIOANALYTICAL SERVICES SAMPLE SUBMITTAL (See Instructions) AGENCY INFORMATION Submitting Agency Send the Results To (Full Name) Project Name Street Address Phone Project Code City, State, Zip Code Fax Memo Number Agency No. Email Final Report Option? Yes No If Yes: Tier 1 Tier 2 SAMPLE INFORMATION Sample Point/Station ID Number/Water Facility ID Collection Interval (YY/MM/DD) Time (24h) Sampling Site/Facility/Supply/Location/Sampling Point ID Sampling Point Street Address System Name Facility Name Municipality/County Start: / / Stop: / / Type of Sampling Event Compliance PWSID New Well Test Trip Blank # (if applicable) Regular Other: Sample Collector (Full Name) FIELD INFORMATION FOR LAB USE ONLY Water Temp C Sample Depth Ft. Background Emission Sample Emission Rate Rate ( R/hr) ( R/hr) Sample ph (Field) Turbidity (NTU) Comments Turnaround Time (TAT) Routine Priority Emergency Gross Alpha Evaporation 48 Hour (ECLS-R-GA) Evaporation (EPA 900.0) Total Sus. Dis. Coprecipitation (ECLS-R-GA-CO) Gross Beta Evaporation (EPA 900.0) Total Sus. Dis. ANALYSIS REQUESTS Radium by Gamma Method Total Sus. Dis. Radium-224 (SM 7500-RA E) Radium-226 (ECLS-R-RA226/RA228) Radium-228 (ECLS-R-RA226/RA228) Ra-228, Radiochemical (NJ Method) Unsupported Lead-212 (NJ Method) Uranium Isotopic Uranium (EPA 00-07) Total Uranium by ICP/MS (EPA 200.8) Radon-222 (EPA 913.0) Tritium (EPA 906.0) Sample Type Water-POE Water-Raw Water-Waste Water-Distribution Other: Lab Sample Number (For Lab Use Only) Electronic Report Option? Yes No If Yes: EDD E-2 Soil/Sediment Wipe/Filter Vegetation Meat Sample Retention - Retain? No Yes - Duration Container Description # of 1 Gallon Cubitainer 2 Gallon Jug Other: State Container? Yes No Preserved in: Pre-acidified Container Sample Receiving Field Lab Date: / / Time: Strontium (ECLS-R-SR89/90) Strontium-89 and -90 Strontium-90 Polonium-210 (FERN-RAD. 0002.00) Gamma Spectroscopy (EPA 901.1) (Specify radionuclides): K-40 Co-60. Zn-65 I-131 Ba-133 Cs-134 Cs-137 Ra-226 Ra-228 U-238 Other: Relinquished By Received By Date Time Reason for Change of Custody Name (Print): Name (Print): Tests conducted at NJDOH Radioanalytical Services Samples types we have tested. POE, Raw, Distribution, Waste, River, Bottled Analytes Gross Alpha/Beta Radium 224,226,228 Unsupported Pb-212 Tritium Radon in water Uranium 234,235,238 Polonium-210 Gamma emitters E.g. Cs-137,Ba-133, I-131, K-40 RAD-4 FEB 16
NJDOH Radioanalytical Services Laboratory Radioanalytical Services Laboratory consists of 3 connected rooms. 2 wet chemistry laboratories to prepare samples. Instrumentation counting room to perform analyses. Samples are prepared in accordance with the appropriate SOP s. Some preparations are quick (4-6 hours) and some take 3-4 days. (e.g. Isotopic Uranium) Once prepared, samples are submitted to the counting room for analysis. Some instruments have the ability to provide final results. Some require further calculations via Excel spreadsheets.
Examples of Prepared Samples Gross Alpha/Beta Evaporation Isotopic Uranium Non-destructive Gamma Spectroscopy Gross Alpha Coprecipitation Ra-224, Ra-226, Ra-228 by Gamma Spectroscopy
NJDOH Radioanalytical Services Instrumentation Gas flow proportional counter: Used to measure gross alpha and beta activities. Alpha spectroscopy detectors: Identify and quantify alpha activity. Liquid Scintillation Counter: Tritium and Radon.
Gamma Ray Spectroscopy: Detector shielded by lead bricks and steel. Radioanalytical Services Instrumentation Sample spectrum of a Proficiency Test sample
Protocol for Drinking Water Samples Flow Chart for Typical Drinking Water Compliance Testing Scheme Using the 48- Hour Rapid Gross Alpha Test. NO Measure Gross alpha within 48 hours of sample collection using Thorium-230 as calibration standard. Gross alpha > 5 pci/l YES Recount 24 hours after initial count to negate the effects of Radon and Thoron progenies. NO Gross alpha > 5 pci/l Only needed for drinking water as per EPA and NJDEP regulations, but we have used the same decision making and applied to non drinking water samples per client request. NO Measure Ra-226 & Ra-228 YES Gross alpha > 15 pci/l YES Measure Uranium (U) Uranium > 20.1pCi/L ( g/l) NO YES Shows the relationship between initial gross alpha tests and the subsequent testing showing what is contributing to the gross alpha activity. NO Compliance (Ra-226 + Ra-228) > 5 pci/l YES YES (Gross alpha minus U) > 15 pci/l NO (Gross alpha minus U) > 5 pci/l NO Compliance YES Non-Compliance
Any Questions? James.Henitz@doh.nj.gov (609)-406-6907