vxEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Environmental Monitoring
and Support Laboratory
PO Box 15027
Las Vegas NV 89114
EPA-600/4-78-033
June 1978
Research and Development
Environmental
Monitoring Series
600478033
Radioactivity Standards
Distribution Program
1978-1979
EP 680/4
73-001a
978-79
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RESEARCH REPORTING SERIES
Research reports of the Office of Research and Development, U S. Environmental
Protection Agency, have been grouped into nine series. These nine broad cate-
gories were established to facilitate further development and application of en-
vironmental technology. Elimination of traditional grouping was consciously
planned to foster technology transfer and a maximum interface in related fields.
The nine series are:
1 Environmental Health Effects Research
2 Environmental Protection Technology
3. Ecological Research
4 Environmental Monitoring
5 Socioeconomic Environmental Studies
6. Scientific and Technical Assessment Reports (STAR)
7 Interagency Energy-Environment Research and Development
8 "Special" Reports
9 Miscellaneous Reports
This report has been assigned to the ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING series.
This series describes research conducted to develop new or improved methods
and instrumentation for the identification and quantification of environmental
pollutants at the lowest conceivably significant concentrations. It also includes
studies to determine the ambient concentrations of pollutants in the environment
and/or the variance of pollutants as a function of time or meteorological factors.
This document is available to the public through the National Technical Informa-
tion Service, Springfield, Virginia 22161
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EPA-600/4-78-033
June 1978
RADIOACTIVITY STANDARDS DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM
1978 - 1979
by
Lee H. Ziegler
Monitoring Systems Research and Development Division
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Las Vegas, Nevada 89114
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND SUPPORT LABORATORY
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89114
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DISCLAIMER
This report has been reviewed by the Environmental Monitoring and Support
Laboratory-Las Vegas, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and approved for
publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute
endorsement or recommendation for use.
11
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FOREWORD
Protection of the environment requires effective regulatory actions which
are based on sound technical and scientific information. This information must
include the quantitative description and linking of pollutant sources, trans-
port mechanisms, interactions, and resulting effects on man and his environment.
Because of the complexities involved, assessment of specific pollutants in the
environment requires a total systems approach which transcends the media of air,
water, and land. Ihe Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory-Las Vegas
contributes to the formation and enhancement of a sound monitoring data base
for exposure assessment through programs designed to:
• develop and optimize systems and strategies for moni-
toring pollutants and their impact on the environment
• demonstrate new monitoring systems and technologies by
applying them to fulfill special monitoring needs of
the Agency's operating programs.
This report tells which calibrated radioactivity samples are available to
laboratories concerned with monitoring environmental levels of radioactivity.
The calibrated radioactivity samples are intended for use in calibrating instru-
mentation, for verification of analytical methodology, and for quality control.
The correct use of these samples will assist laboratories in producing precise
and accurate data. The data from these measurements are used for a wide variety
of purposes, including assessment of health affects, establishment of. standards
and guides, and enforcement activities. The Quality Assurance Branch at the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Monitoring and Support La-
boratory in Las Vegas encourages the development and implementation of quality
control procedures at all levels of sample collection, analysis, data handling
and reporting of environmental radiation measurements and can provide further
assistance upon request.
' Morgan
Director
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Las Vegas
111
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CONTENTS
Page
Foreword iii
Program Objectives 1
Preparation and Calibration of Samples 1
Availability of Calibrated Samples 4
Participation in Calibrated Sample Distribution Program .... 7
Appendix A. Calibration Certificate 8
Appendix B. Net Pulse Height Spectrum of Sodium-22 Measured
with 4-Inch by 4-Inch Nal (Tl) Crystal 11
Radionuclide Request Forms
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PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
Environmental measurements are made daily by many different Federal, State,
local and private agencies. The data from these measurements are used for a
wide variety of purposes including assessment of health effects, establishment
of standards and guides, and for enforcement activities. It is, therefore, im-
perative that the precision and accuracy of the data be assured in order that
policy decisions concerning environmental quality be based on valid and compa-
rable data.
The quality assurance program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) is designed to encourage the development and implementation of quality
control procedures at all levels of sample collection, analysis, data handling,
and reporting. Quality control responsibilities, in the radiation area, have
been assigned to the Quality Assurance Branch at the EPA's Environmental Moni-
toring and Support Laboratory in Las Vegas. This Branch, as an integral part
of its overall quality assurance effort, prepares and distributes a variety of
calibrated low-level radioactive samples for use in the laboratories of Federal,
State, and local agencies.
The major objective of this program is to encourage the development of in-
tralaboratory and ixiterlaboratory quality control procedures and thus ensure
that environmental radiation data are valid. Providing accurately calibrated
samples assists laboratories in calibrating new instruments, implementing and
maintaining routine instrument calibration programs, evaluating analytical pro-
cedures, and developing and revising data processing programs.
The following pages briefly describe standard preparation procedures, list
the radionuclides available, and indicate how a laboratory may request standards.
If your laboratory does not currently make use of the services provided by
the Quality Assurance Branch at the EMSL-LV, it is encouraged to do so.
PREPARATION AND CALIBRATION OF SAMPLES
The radionuclides used in preparing calibrated samples are obtained from
the National Bureau of Standards, the Laboratorie de Metrologie des Rayonne-
ments lonisants (France), Amersham Corporation, or from other reliable commer-
cial sources. The uncertainty in the known activity of individual sources
ranges from 0.5 to 5 percent. The activity of radionuclide impurities, exclud-
ing daughters, is documented and typically is less than 1 percent of the acti-
vity of the principal radionuclide at the time of sample preparation.
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Upon receipt, a radionuclide is checked for its activity and for the pre-
sence of radioactive contaminants. Hie sample is then diluted to the desired
activity level (500-6,600,000 disintegrations per minute per gram (dpm/g))
with a carrier of the same chemical composition and concentration as used by
the supplier. In certain cases, the addition of a stabilizer is required.
The accuracy of the dilution is carefully checked and aliquots of the solution
are flame-sealed in 5-milliliter glass ampuls.
Accompanying each calibrated sample is a certificate listing pertinent
information concerning the sample and its calibration, including an estimate
of the errors associated with the value of the activity (Appendix A) . For
gamma emitters, a plot of the net pulse height spectrum is also included (Ap-
pendix B).
To further assure the precision and accuracy of the calibrated samples,
the Quality Assurance Branch participates in an ongoing intercomparison study
with the National Bureau of Standards (NBS). Definitions of traceability to
the national radioactivity measurement system is spelled out in an article
written by Cavallo et al. (K. Siegbahn, ed., Nuclear Instruments and Methods,
Vol 112. No. 1, 2. Sept./Oct. 1973. p. 5). In this article it is stated:
"Direct traceability to the national radioactivity measurement
system (NRMS) exists when any "outside" laboratory prepares a
batch of calibrated radioactivity standards and submits several
randomly selected samples to the national standardizing labora-
tory for confirmation and verification... Indirect traceability
to the NPMS exists when the national laboratory provides 'un-
known" calibrated radioactivity samples to one or more measure-
ment laboratories, who in turn make measurements of activity
that agree within certain specified limits with those of the
national laboratory. Thus we can have 1%, 5%, etc., trace-
ability... Indirect traceability only means that the 'lower
level" laboratory has the potential to make measurements that
are consistent within the NEMS..."
Table 1 is a listing of the results of the EPA's traceability program
with the NBS. Shown in each category of direct or indirect traceability is
a nuclide and the ratio of the activity measured by EPA to the activity mea-
sured by the NBS. In the section on direct traceability, each nuclide repre-
sents aliquots of seperate master solutions sent to the NBS at various times.
On the category of indirect traceability, the ratio of the activity measured
by EPA to the activity measured by the NBS is shown for different radionucli-
des. More complete details of the intercomparison studies with the NBS are
described elsewhere.*
Quality Assurance Branch, Radiation Quality Assurance Interccmparison Stu-
dies 1974-1975, Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory, EPA-600/4-
75-014, October 1975, Las Vegas, Nevada.
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TABLE 1. RATIOS OF ACTIVITY MEASUREMENTS PERFORMED UNDER THE EPA
TRACEABILITY PROGRAM WITH NBS, JANUARY 1974 TO MARCH 1978
EPA Value (Activity/g)
Direct traceability:
Samples submitted to NBS by
MSQ-EMSL-LV
Nuclide
60Co
51*Mn
65Zn
89Sr
90Sr
3H
1 3 lj
89Sr
89Sr
NBS Value
1.006
0.997
0.994
0.989
1.024
0.995
1.003
0.956
0.977
(Activity/g)
Indirect traceability:
NBS-prepared samples sent to
MSQ-EMSL-LV
109
Cd
75
Se
89
90
203
51
137
Sr
Sr
Hg
Cr
Cs
13 "
59
50
59
63
228
45
llt7
152
239
Cs
Fe
Co
Mo
Ni
Th
Ca
Am
Pm
Eu
Pu
203
Hg
0.970
1.028 (total activity)
0.919
0.951 (total activity)
0.997
1.008
1.024
1.015
0.981
1.018
1.013
0.996
1.001
0.958
0.989
0.970
1.049
0.995
1.008
0.959
0.986
0.979
1.004
1.017
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AVAILABILITY OF CALIBRATED SAMPLES
The Quality Assurance Branch recotmends use of the half-lives listed in
this document. The primary sources of these half-lives are "Nuclear Decay Data
for Radionuclides Occurring in Routine Releases from Nuclear Fuel Cycle Facili-
ties", edited by D. C. Kocher (ORNL/NUREG/TM-102, UC-41, Oak Ridge National La-
boratory, "Nuclear Decay Data for Selected Radionuclides", edited by M. J.
Martin (ORNL-5114, VC - 34c - Nuclear Physics, Oak Ridge National Laboratory)
and Nuclear Data Tables, Volume A8, Numbers 1, 2, edited by Katherine Way.
Half-lives of those radionuclides not listed in any of these publications were
taken from selected volumes of the Nuclear Data Sheets, edited by the Nuclear
Data Group.
AQUEOUS CALIBRATED SAMPLES
The inventory of calibrated samples at the beginning of Fiscal Year 1978
consists of some 30 calibrated radionuclide solutions (table 2). Every effort
is made to keep this inventory supplied for immediate delivery with the except-
ion of iodine-131 and barium-140. Iodine-131 is prepared bimonthly and dis-
tributed to requestors of record. Barium-140 is prepared approximately every
4 months and supplied to requestors of record. While the types of calibrated
samples in the inventory vary during the year, every effort will be made to
keep the following calibrated solution samples in stock and available forv
distribution at any time.
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TABLE 2. CALIBRATED RADIONUCLIDE SAMPLES KEPT IN INVENTORY
Isotope
Type
Emission
3-
3-
3+,Y
3-,Y
Y
Y
3-,Y
3-
3+,Y
Y
3+,Y
3-
3-
3-,Y
Half-Life
12.35 y
5730 y
2.602 y
82.80 d
312.5 d
270.9 d
5.271 y
96 y
244.1 d
120 d
107 d
50.55 d
28.5 y
368.2 d
Isotope
109Cd
11 "%
125Sb
131J
133Ba
13 4Cs
137Cs
140Ba
14 "ce
226Ra
228Ra
238U
239pu
2ltlPu
241Am
Type
Emission
Y
3-,Y
3-,Y
3-,Y
Y
3-,Y
3-,Y
3-,Y
3-,Y
a,Y
3-
a
a
3-
a
Half -Life
453 d
250.8 d
2.77 y
8.04 d
10.5 y
2.062 y
30.17 y
12.789
284.3 d
1600 y
5.75 y
4.468 x 109 y
2.439 x 10" y
14.4 y
433 y
3H
22Na
54Mn
57Co
60Co
63Ni
65Zn
75Se
90Sr
106Ru
Throughout the year, other radionuclide solutions are calibrated and made
available for distribution. In order to service the user efficiently, the
Duality Assurance Branch will obtain, calibrate, and distribute the following
radionuclides, as time and resources permit, after 10 or more requests have
been received. The user is reminded, however, that these solutions are pre-
pared as time permits, and as the Branch is able to maintain the above in-
ventory.
otope
7Be
51Cr
56Co
58CO
59Fe
85Sr
95Zr
o'Ru-1
Type
Emission
Y
Y
3+,Y
3+,Y
3-,Y
Y
3-,Y
03inRh 3-,Y
Half -Life
53.3 d
27.704 d
77.3 d
70.8 d
44.6 d
64.85 d
63.98 d
39.35 d
Isotope
121+Sb
139Ce
'"Ce
203Hg
230Th
232^
Type
Emission
3-,Y
Y
6-fY
3-,Y
a
a
Half-Life
60.20 d
137.65 d
32.50 d
46.59 d
7.7 x 10" y
1.405 x 1010 y
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On occasion, a few selected radionuclide solutions not listed in table 2
are calibrated. letters will be sent to krown requesters of low-level radio-
nuclide solutions to efficiently allocate the distribution of these solutions.
SOIL SAMPLES
Several soil samples have been prepared and analyzed under contract for
distribution by EPA. These soil samples have been dried, ground to pass a
170-mesh or a 200-mesh screen, and carefully blended. Reports of calibration
accompany the samples. The samples are packaged in glass containers which con-
tain roughly 10 grains (g) of soil. Soils available are:
1. Standard Pitchblende
Principal radionuclides - 238U, 235U
Principal daughter products - 210Pb, 210Po, 23l*U, 230Th,
231Pa, 226Ra, 227Ac, 227Th,
21ltPb
2. Diluted Pitchblende
This is approximately a 10:1 dilution of material 1
with low-activity soil used for dilution.
3. Standard Monazite Ore
232,^ 230mv, 228
3Ra
Principal radionuclides analyzed - 232Th, 230Th, 228Th,
228T
4. Diluted Monazite Ore
This is approximately a 10:1 dilution of material 3
with low-activity soil used for dilution.
5. Uranium Mill Tailings (1)
Principal radionuclides analyzed - 230Th, 226Ra, 210Pb
6. Uranium Mill Tailings (2)
A composite mixture from 16 different uranium mills
Principal radionuclides analyzed— 230Th, 226Ra, 210Pb
7. Diluted Uranium Mill Tailings
A 7:1 dilution of material 6 with low-activity soil
used for dilution.
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The two following soil samples were prepared for the EPA by the NBS.
Material Number 8 is unspiked. Supplemental information concerning the tech-
niques used to characterize the radium-226 and radium-228 concentrations is
supplied with the report of calibration prepared by the NBS. The gamma-ray
emission rate standard is suitable for calibrating Nal(Tl) and Ge(Li) detec-
tors for soil samples.
8. Mancos Shale
This sample is certified for 226Ra and 228Ra activity.
This sample is packaged in a glass jar containing ap-
proximately 100 g of soil.
9. Pottery Clay - Gamma-Ray Emission Rate Standard
This sample is spiked with 139Ce, 113Sn-113inIn,
137Cs-13^^a,65Zn, and 88 Y. This sample contains
approximately 100 g of clay.
PARTICIPATION IN CALIBRATED SAMPLES DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM
Any Federal, State, local or private laboratory involved in, or concerned
with, environmental radiation monitoring and surveillance may participate in
the calibrated sample distribution program. To request samples, complete one
of the request forms included at the back of this publication and return it to:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Quality Assurance Branch (MSQ)
P.O. Box 15027
Las Vegas, NV 89114
Telephone: (702) 736-2969
All requests for calibrated samples should be submitted at least 3 weeks
in advance in order to ensure delivery on the date required. Should additional
forms be required, they may be requested from the same address.
These materials are currently available cost-free to requesters.
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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND SUPPORT LABORATORY-LAS VEGAS
QUALITY ASSURANCE BRANCH
Calibration Certificate
Description Principal radionuclide 1 1 Half-life 1 1
Nominal activity 1 1 1 curies
Nominal volume 1 1 ml m ampoule/bottle number 1
Supplied to Request
D
I 1
Measurement Activity of principal radionuclide
Activity per gram of this solution
| || curies |o,|
at 0400 hours PST on I
Activity of daughter radionuclide
The principal activity was accompanied at the quoted time by
| | | curies | per gram
of thedaughter nuclide 1 J
Total mass of this solution Total principal activity per gram
at the quoted time
| grams | | | |
curies 1
Appendix A. Calibration certificate
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Method of measurement
Useful Life This radionuchde has decayed through 1 1 half-lives since it was obtained by EMSL-LV
We recommend that this solution should not be used after
Purity The manufacturer states that activities other than that of the
and of it daughter nuclides if any, were estimated/known to
|m
| (2)
|,3,
The activity of impurity (1) is not (2) is not (3) is not
included in the quoted figures of the principal activity
It is estimated that we have added the following impurities
I (1)
I (2)
| (3)
I I
principal nuclide
be
I less than 1 1 Qf (hg Clpa, actlvlty
equal to 1 1
II % 1 of the principal activity
edual to |__ —I
1 % 1 of the principal activity
equal to | | K
1 less than 1 1 1 curies/gram 1
1 less than 1 11 curies/gram 1
1 less than I II curies/gram 1
Appendix A. (continued). Calibration certificate
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Random Errors
The repeatability of this standardization (dilutions, source preparations, counting statistics,
mass determinations,etc ) was such that the certified value of the radioactive concentration
of the principal activity had a standard error (a) not greater than
% I (The 997% confidence limits are given by i 3a)
The total systematic error (sum of estimated maximum residual systematic errors due to
dispensing, counting losses, counting corrections, known uncertainty of standard) of the
certified radioactive concentration of the principal activity has been estimated not to
exceed + % (6)
The overall limits of error calculated on the basis of + (3cr + 6) or - (3o~* 6 ') are
% I or I - % I of the quoted radioactive concentration
The effective standard deviation is defined as 1/6th of the range between the overall limits
+ (3
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io* m
345014 DPHDV 1 ?7ZD4DD
052174081
80 120
CHANNEL NUMBER
200
Appendix B-
Net pulse height spectrum of sodium-22 measured
with 4-inch x 4-inch Nal(Tl) crystal
•tf U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1978-765-924/1217 9-1
11
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RADIONUCLIDE REQUEST FORM
TO: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Quality Assurance Branch
P.O. Box 15027
Las Vegas, NV 89114
Please ship the calibrated samples listed below to:
Contact Person
Title
Laboratory
Address
Telephone
NRC License
and/or
State License Number(s)
NOTE: If either by-products (in quantities greater than exempt quanti-
ties) or special nuclear materials are requested, a copy of the
NRC license(s) should accompany the first request.
Radionuclide Samples Desired:
I certify that the calibrated sample(s) requested are to be used only in
this laboratory by qualified personnel for the purpose of developing or check-
ing analytical procedures and/or for the calibration of instrumentation.
I further certify that I am authorized to receive the above listed radio-
nuclides under the license number(s) listed above or that this laboratory is
exempt from licensing regulations.
Date Signature
Title
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RADICNUCLIDE REQUEST FORM
TO: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Envirormental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Quality Assurance Branch
P.O. Box 15027
Las Vegas, NV 89114
Please ship the calibrated samples listed below to:
Contact Person
Title
Laboratory
Address
Telephone
NRC License
and/or Type(s)
State License Number(s)
NOTE: If either by-products (in quantities greater than exempt quanti-
ties) or special nuclear materials are requested, a copy of the
NRC license(s) should accotpany the first request.
Radionuclide Samples Desired:
I certify that the calibrated sample(s) requested are to be used only in
this laboratory by qualified personnel for the purpose of developing or check-
ing analytical procedures and/or for the calibration of instrumentation.
I further certify that I am authorized to receive the above listed radio-
nuclides under the license number(s) listed above or that this laboratory is
exempt from licensing regulations.
Date Signature
Title
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RADIONUCLIDE REQUEST FORM
TO: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Quality Assurance Branch
P.O. Box 15027
Las Vegas, NV 89114
Please ship the calibrated samples listed below to:
Contact Person
Title
Laboratory
Address
Telephone
NRC License
ana/QT Type(s)
State License Number(s)
NOTE: If either by-products (in quantities greater than exempt quanti-
ties) or special nuclear materials are requested, a copy of the
NRC license(s) should accompany the first request.
Radionuclide Samples Desired:
I certify that the calibrated sample(s) requested are to be used only in
this laboratory by qualified personnel for the purpose of developing or check-
ing analytical procedures and/or for the calibration of instrumentation.
I further certify that I am authorized to receive the above listed radio-
nuclides under the license number(s) listed above or that this laboratory is
exempt from licensing regulations.
Date Signature
Title
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TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read Instructions on the reverse before completing)
1. REPORT NO.
EPA-600/4-78-033
2.
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION NO.
A. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
RADIOACTIVITY STANDARDS DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM, 1978-1979
5. REPORT DATE
June 1978
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7. AUTHOR(S)
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
Lee H. Ziegler, Quality Assurance Branch,
Monitoring Systems Research and Development Division
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Las Vegas. Nevada 89114
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
1HD621
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Las Vegas, NV
Office of Research and Development
Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
Las Vegas. Nevada 89114
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
EPA/600/07
15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
16 ABSTRACT
A program for the distribution of calibrated radioactive samples, as one function of
EPA's quality assurance program for environmental radiation measurements, is described.
Included is a discussion of the objectives of the distribution program and a descrip-
tion of the preparation, availability, and distribution of calibrated radioactive sam-
ples . Instructions and application forms are included for laboratories desiring to
participate in the program.
This document is not a research report. It is designed for use by personnel of labor-
atories participating or desiring to participate in the Radioactivity Standards Dis-
tribution Program, which is a part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's qua-
lity assurance program.
17.
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
b.IDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS
c. COSATi F''ield/Group
quality assurance
quality control
radioactivity
quantitative analysis
calibrating
standards
07 B
14 B, D
18 H
18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
RELEASE TO PUBLIC
19. SECURITY CLASS (This ReportJ
UNCLASSIFIED
21 NO. OF PAGES
28
20. SECURITY CLASS (This page J
UNCLASSIFIED
22. PRICE
EPA Form 2220-1 (Rev. 4—77) PREVIOUS EDITION is OBSOLETE
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