&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Environmental Monitoring
Systems Laboratory
P.O. Box 15027
Las Vegas NV 89114
EPA-600/4-80-044
October 1980
Research and Development
Radioactivity Standards
Distribution Program
Fiscal Year 1981-1982
prepared for the
Office of Drinking Water
and
Office of Radiation Programs
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EPA-600/4-80-044
October 1980
RADIOACTIVITY STANDARDS DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM
Fiscal Year 1981-1982
by
Loren E. Thompson
Quality Assurance Division
Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory
Las Vegas, Nevada 89114
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING SYSTEMS LABORATORY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89114
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FOREWORD
This document, which is essentially a catalog, describes the types and
concentrations of calibrated radioactivity samples available from EPA's
Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory in Las Vegas. It indicates the
results of traceability studies linked to the National Bureau of Standards and
provides forms for requesting the standard samples.
The catalog is distributed to over 200 laboratories (Regional, State,
nuclear facility, National, commercial, and international) that are involved
in environmental radiation measurements. These laboratories, and any others
that wish to participate in EPA's quality assurance program for radiation. .
measurements, are encouraged to use the standards and the reference materials
described in this catalog for calibrating instrumentation, for verification of
analytical methodology, and for quality control.
~~J---~
Glenn E. Schweitzer
Director
Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory
Las Vegas, Nevada
- .
iii
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Preparation and Calibration of Samples.
Aqueous Calibrated Samples.
Foreword. . . . . .
.....
Program Objectives.
.....
Special Reference Materials.
CONTENTS
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Participation in Calibrated Samples Distribution Program.
Appendix A
Calibration Certificate
Radionuclide Request Forms
. . . . . . .
v
Page
. iii
1
. . 1
4
6
7
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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, imperative that the precision and accuracy of the data be assured
in order that policy decisions concerning environmental quality be based on
valid and comparable 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 assurance responsibilities, in the radiation
area, have been assigned to the Quality Assurance Division at the EPA's
Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory in Las Vegas. This Division, 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
intralaboratory and interlaboratory quality control procedures and thus help
ensure that environmental radiation data are valid. Accurately calibrated
samples furnished by EMSL-LV are used by laboratories in calibrating new.
instruments, implementing and maintaining routine instrument calibration
programs, evaluating analytical procedures, and developing and revising data
processing programs.
The following pages briefly describe how standards are prepared, list the
radionuclldes available, and indicate how a laboratory may acquire standards
from the EMSL-LV. . .
If. your laboratory does not currently use the services provided by the
.Quality Assurance Division at the EMSL-LV, it is encouraged to do so.
PREPARATION AND CALIBRATION OF SAMPLES
The radlonuclides used in' preparing calibrated samples are obtained from
the National Bureau of Standards, Laboratorie de Metrologie des Rayonnements
Ionisants (France), orfran other reliable canmercial sources. The
uncertainty in the known activity of individual sources ranges from 0.5 to 5
percent. The activity of radionuclide impurities, excluding daughters, is
1
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. documented and typically is less than 1 percent of the activity of the
principal radionuclide at the time of sample preparation.
Upon receipt at EMSL-LV'- a radionuclide is checked for its activity and
for the presence of radioactive contaminants. The sample is then diluted to .
the desired activity level with a carrier of the same chemical composition 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.
Accompanyi ng the shi JITIent of each cal i brated sampl e is a certi fi cate
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. .
To further assure the precision and accuracy of the calibrated samples,
the Quality Assurance Division participates in an ongoing intercomparison
study with the National Bureau of Standards (NBS). Definitions of trace-
ability to the national radioactivity measurement system are described 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) exi sts when any' outsi de' 1 aboratory prepares a batch of
calibrated radioactivity standards and submits several randomly
selected" samples to the national standardizing laboratory for
confirmation and verification... Indirect traceability to the NRMS
exists when the national laboratory provides 'unknown' calibrated
radioactivity samples to one or more measurement 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., traceability... Indirect traceability ~ means
that the 'lower 1 evel' 1 aboratory has the potenti al to make
measurements that are consi stent wi thi n the NRMS..." .
"Table 1 lists 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 measured by the NBS. In
the section on direct traceabillty, each nuclide is a 5 ml ampul of a
radioactive solution taken from the EPA radionuclide inventory and sent to the
NBS for analysis at -various times.
2
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. .
TABLE 1. RATIOS OF ACTIVITY MEASUREMENTS PERFORMED UNDER THE EPA
TRACEABILITY PROGRAM WITH NBS, JANUARY 1974 TO JANUARY 1980
Nuclide
EPA Value
NBS Value
Direct traceability:
Samples submitted to NBS by the
EMSL-LV
3H
SlCr
s~n
60Co
6Szn
89Sr
89sr
89sr
9~r
13i~
I
0.995
0.985
0.997
1.006
0.994
0.989
0.956
0.977
1.024
0.977
Indirect traceability:
NBS-prepared samples sent to the
EMSL-LV
lAtC
~sCa
1+6Sc
SlCr
s9Fe
57Co
~~o
6~~
7s'Se
89Sr
90Sr
1 ~;MO
110m Cd
l31+A~
1 37Cs
Cs
11+0Ba
11+ ICe
l1+7Pm
lS2Eu
20~g
20~g
203Pb
~29rh
238pu
239pu
21+ lAm
1.004
1.049
0.995
1.015
0.996
1.027
0.960
1.001
0.989
0.919
o. 997
1.008
0.958
0.970 .
1. 018
. 1.013
0.981
0.979
1.080
. 1. 008
0.959
1.024
1.017
1.171
0.970
1.000
0.986
0.995
3
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1.-- -----
AQUEOUS CALIBRATED SAMPLES
The inventory of calibrated samples consists of a number of calibrated
radionuclide solutions (Table 2). Except for Iodine-131, every effort is made
to maintain this inventory so that samples can be shipped in a timely manner.
Iodine-131 is prepared bimonthly and distributed to requestors on record.
While the types of calibrated samples in the inventory vary during the year,
every effort is made to keep the calibrated solution samples listed in Table 2
in stock and available for distribution at any time.
TABLE 2. CALIBRATED RADIONUCLIDE SAMPLES KEPT IN INVENTORY
Type Major Gamma % Gamma
Isotope Emission Half-Life Peak (MeV) Abundance dpm/g*
3 12.35 y 10,000
14H a-
5~n B- 5730 Y 10,000
y .312.5 d 0.835 99.978 40,000
57CO y 270.9 d 0.122 85.6 80,000
60Co B-,Y 5.271 Y 1,.333 100 40,000
63Ni B- 92 Y 10,000
65Zn B+,y 244.1 d 1.115 50.75 160,000
89Sr B- 50.6 d 160,000
90Sr B- 28 y 10,000
106Ru B-, y 369 d 0.512 20.6 160,000
109Cd y 453 d 0.088 3.72 =-0.2 ~Ci/g
11~g B-,y 250.8 d 0.658 94.6 80,000
12 Sb B-, y 2.77 Y 0.428 29.6 320,000
1311 B-, y 8.04 d 0.364 81.2 =- 0.4 ~Ci/g
133Ba y , 10.5 Y 0.356 62.4 160,000
134cs B-,y 2.062 Y 0.605 97.6 40 ,000
137CS B-,y 30.17 y 0.662 85.0 20,000
144ce B-, y 284.3 d 0.134 10.8 320,000
226Ra a 1600 y 10,000
t22~a B- 5..75 -" 30,000
230rh a 7.7 X 10 Y 10,000
t232rh a 1.4 X 1010 y 10,000
:: 232tJ a 72 y . -- 25,000
t23f\J a 4.5 X 109 y 2,500
t239pu a 2.4 X 104 Y' -_. 6,000
t241pu B- 14.4 y 10,000
24~ a 433 y 10,000
* Approximate activity (dpm/g) of the isotope on the date calibrated.
t Prepared and cal ibrated by the National Bureau of Standards.
4
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Throughout the year, the additional radionuclide solutions listed in Table
3 are calibrated and made available for distribution. The Quality Assurance
Division will obtain, calibrate, and distribute any of these radionuclides, as
time and resources permit, after 10 or more requests have been received. The
user is reminded, however, that these solutions are prepared as time' permits,
and as the Division is able to maintain the above inventory. '
TABLE 3. CALIBRATED RADIONUCLIDE SAMPLES SUPPLIED AS NEEDED
Type Major Gamma ~ Ganuna '
Isotope Emission Half-Life Peak (MeV) Abundance dpm/g*
7Be Y 53.3 d 0.477 10.3 640,000
22Na B+,Y '2.602 y 0.511 180.58 20,000
1+6Sc B-,Y 82.80 d 1.120 100 160,000
51Cr Y 27.704 d 0.320 9.80 =-0.2 \1Ci/g
56CO B+,Y 77.3 d 0.847 99.974 160,000
58Co B+ , Y' 70.8 d 0.811 99.45 160,000
59Fe B-,Y 44.6 d 1.099 56.1 320,000
75Se Y 120 d 0.265 59.5 . 320,000
85Sr Y 64.85 d 0.514 98.0 160,000
88y B+, Y 107 d 1.836 99.35 160,000
95Zr B-,Y 63.98 d 0.757 .54.3 320,000
103Ru Y 39.35 d 0.497 86.4 320,000
121+Sb B-, Y 60.20 d 0.603 97.9 160,000
139Ce ,Y 137.65 d 0.165 80.0 160,000
11+1Ce B-,Y 32.50.d 0.145 48.0 320,000
203Hg B-, Y 46.59.d 0.279 81.5 160,000
20 7B i Y 38 y 0.570 97.8 20,000
* Approximate activity (dpm/g) of the isotope on the date calibrated.
On occasion, a few selected radionuclide solutions not listed in Table 3
are calibrated. Letters will be sent to. previous requestors of low-level
radionuclide solutions to efficiently allocate the distribution of these
solutions. .
The primary sources of the listed half-lives are "Nuclear Decay Data for
Radionuclides Occurring in Routine Releases from Nuclear Fuel Cycle
Facilities", edited by D. C. Kocher (ORNL/NUREG/TM-102, UC-41, Oak Ridge
National Laboratory), "Nuclear Decay Data for Selected Radionucl ides", 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 the
above publications were taken from selected volumes of the Nuclear Data
Sheets, edited by the Nuclear Data Group.
5
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SPECIAL REFERENCE MATERIALS
Calibrated soil samples for use as reference materials are also available.
These 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 contain approximately
10 grams (g) of soil. Soils available are: .
. 5.
1.
Standard Pitchblende
Principal radionuclides
. and approximate activity .. ~ ~:~
: 253 pCi/g
12 pCi/g
Pri nci pal daughter products _,:21 Opb, 210 Po, 234 U, 2 30Th,
2 3 1p a, 2 2 ~ Ra, 2 2 7 Ac, 2 27Th,
21~b
2.
Diluted Pitchblende
This is approximately a 10:1 dilution of the standard
pitchblende diluted with low-activity soil.
Standard Monazite Ore
Principal radionuclides
and approximate activity - 232fh
2 2 Sfh
3.
: 1. 54 nC i / 9
: 1.54 nCi/g
4.
Diluted Monazite Ore
This is approximately a 10:1 dilution of standard monazite
diluted with low-activity soil.
Uranium Mill Tailings (1).
Climax sand tailings
Principal radionuclides .
and approximate activity - 230Th
226Ra
2 1 OPb
: 267 pCi/g
: 344 pC i / 9
. :" 300 pC i / 9
6.
Uranium Mill Tailings (2t
A composite mixture from 16 different
Principal radionuclides .
and approximate activity - 2 30Th
2 2 6 Ra
2 1 0 PI)
urani um mi 11 s
: 311 pCi /g
: 501 pCi/g
..:. 43_3 pC i /9
7.
Dilut~7~ra~~~~t~~~lo~a~~~netimax sand tailings with
low-act i vi ty soi 1.
The.three materials listed below were prepared for the EPA by the NBS.
Material Number 8 is unspiked. Supplemental infonmation concerning the
techniques used to characterize the radium-226 and radium-228 concentrations
6
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is supplied with the report of calibration prepared by the NBS.
and fly ash are supplied in 100 gram aliquots.
Mancos shale
8.
Mancos Shale
Principal radionuclides
and approximate act ivity - .22 6Ra : 3.4 dpm/g
228Ra : 2.9 dpm/g
--!
I
,
!. -,
i
Fly Ash
Principal radionuclides
and approximate activity ~.226Ra : 7.8 dpm/g
. 228Ra : 5.7 dpm/g
10. Mixed Nuclide Standard
A composite mixture of seven radionuclides in an aqueous medium
was prepared and calibrated by the National Bureau of Standards.
This material is available in 5~milliliter aliquots sealed in a
glass ampul. Another mixed nuclide standard is available that
is a factor of 10 times greater than the activities listed
below.
9.
Principal radionuclide
and approximate activity -
3H
90Sr
1 34CS
226Ra :
22 8Ra :
234U
238U
: 14,000 dpm/g
87 dpm/g
60 dpm/g
53 dpm/g
44 dpm/g
73-dpm/g
74 dpm/g
PARTICIPATION IN CALIBRATED SAMPLES DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM
Any Federal, State, local or 'private laboratories involved in, or
concerned with, environmental radiation monitoring and surveillance may
participate in the calibrated sample distribution program as long as they are
properly licensed to maintain and use radionuclides on their premises. The
calibrated materials are shipped on a monthly basis and are available at no
cost to the customer. To request standards, complete one of the request forms
at the back of this publication, making certain to include the license" number,
and return ,the form to:
QUALITY ASSURANCE DIVISION
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING SYSTEMS LABORATORY
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
P. O. Box 15027 -
Las Vegas, NV 89114
Telephone:
(702) 798-2103 Commercial
595-2103 FTS
7
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APPENDIX A
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory-us Vega.
Quality Aaurance Division
Calibration Ce"ificate
Description
""- '-"'1 Yttrium-S8 I
--- 10.38711 micro --I
- -- CD ml ,,,8_.'''''''8,,-11836-1
--1d-1106.6 Days
. ~
Supplied to
--I 3841
Measurement
Activity of lII'incioal f8dionuclide
-..... - "'- 01.....-
177. 4 fI nanD C"''''1 of I Yttri urn-S8
.. 00I0O......... PST on I Apri 1 20. 1978
Activity of lI.ughter radionudicle
The DhftC108I 8Cl1WIIY ... ICCOIft08nt8CI 8t tP\e QUOC8Ct Itme by
"
curt" ~ Per 9f'8I"
01 .... cIIIugtar ,,- 1
TCIt8II118- of ttIis lOIution
15.0763
-I
9
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Certificate (continued)
Method of measurement
The master solution was calibrated with a high resolution
gamma ray spectrometer.
The dilution was calibrated by counting in a Nal well
detector and calculating the dpm rate by sum-coincidence
method.
Useful ute
This r8dionudide h.. d8cayed through
@
half livet since it _s obtlined by EMSL.LV
We r_mend t"-t this solution should not be used after
I November. 1979
Purity
The manufacturer _as thlt ICtivities other thIn that of the principal nuclide
Ind of its d8ughternudidaa. if .ny. were estimated/known to be:
1111 Other imourities I :::.~:n 10.1
1121 I :::aV't:n I
1131 I =.~:n I
'" I of me princiPal activity
"'I of the principal activity
"'I of the princip81 activity
The activity of imourity (1) i. "ot (2) is not (31 is not
included in the quoted figures of the orincioa' activity
It is ntirnet8d thlt - have added the following imourities:
1(11 ~ leu thIn I
1 (2) I'eu thin I
1131 I'ess than I
curies/ gram I
cvriesl9rlmJ
ClInes! gram I
~ I
II
II
10
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Certificate (continued)
Random Errors
The precision of this standard wu sucn .nat .he certified value of the radioactiw
COIlC8nt1'11tion of the princiPal activity IIad a standard error (sml not greeter .lIan :1:1 z. 3 \'61.
(The 99." confid8ftC1t limitS are given by t(sm)_- t i, obtained tram the Student. factor
for tII. degree of freedom (n-ll).
The IftUimum uncertainty due .0 .1Ie auassatlle SVStematic errors (dilution. counti"9. and
known uncertainty of .h. Standardl is obtained by .lIa separate ari.hmetiC summation of .lIe
IIQ8itive and nagatift syStamatic errors ( .5.- 5 '1. These nave been estimated not .0 exceed
1+3. 3 "'lor \-3.5 "'I.
",'\'
Decay Schemes
The _II unc:anainty (often caned accuracyl is an estimate of .he possible diwrgenca of
the Quoted result fram the true valu.. It is a comtlination of randolll error [.(,,"» at the 99.7'!(,
confidence limits and.ne - case eStimate of the systematic errors ( + 6. - 6 1
The -an uncertainty i, th«efore calculated on the basi, of. &(lm)+6].- f/(sm)+ 61
and i, 1+ S. 6. "'I . 1- 5.8 '" I of .lIe Quo.ed radioactive concenlfBtion.
Thi, standardization is buad on the followi"9 assumption, of .1Ie princigle nuclide. itS
dauglltlw nuclide, and imguritin (no allowance for error in .hese a"u/rqltion, or .1Ie
SlSUlTlDtion of QUoted nalf.life 11- been included in .h. statemem of accuracy abovel.
0.,1_...., .
The 0.898 MeV gamma ray has an abundance of 93.4%.
The 1.836 MeV gamma ray has an abundance of 99.35%*.
.J
Chemical
Composition
of Solution
c.m., COntent D8I' gram of SOlution:
Oth.r components:
100 Micrograms of Yttrium
0.1 M HCl
Preurvetive:
Remarks
* Martin. M. J.. Editor. 1976 Nuclear Decay Data
Radionuclides. Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
VC-34c-Nuclear Physics. 54 pp.
NaI plot of Yttrium-as is supplied.
for Sel ected
QRNL-5114.
Oat. Cenificat8 PreDared August 22. 1978
Aopnwaf S;onature
11
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Certificate (continued)
104Y
103
102
Net
CPM
10'
10°
Yttrium-SS
o
40
80 120
Channel Number
160
12
200
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RADIONUCLIDE REQUEST FORM
TO: QUAlITY ASSURANCE DIVISION
ENVIRONMENTAl MONITORING SYSTEMS LABORATORY
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAl PROTECTION AGENCY
P.O. Box 15027
Las Vegas, NV 89114
Please ship the calibrated samples li.sted below to:
Contact Person'
Title
Laborato ry
Address
Telephone
NRC License
and/or Type(s)
State License
Number(s)
If either by-products (in quantities greater than ex~pt quantities) or
special nuclear materials are requested, a copy of the NRC license(s)
should accompany the first request.. -
Radionuclide Samples Desired:
NOTE:
.
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
checking analytical procedures and/or for the cali~ration of instrumentation.
I further certify that I am authorized to receive the above listed radio-
nuc 1 i des under the 11 cense number( s) 1 i sted. above or that th is 1 aboratory is
exempt fram licensing regulations.
S i gnat ure
Date
Titl e
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--r- ---rfurther certify that I am authorized to receive the above listed radio-
S nuc 1 i des under the 1 icense number( s) 1 i sted aDove or that th is 1 aboratory is
S exempt from licensing regulations.
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f. . ~ . ."0'
RADIONUCLIDE REQUEST FORM
TO: QUALITY ASSURANCE DIVISION '
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING SYSTEMS LABORATORY
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
P.O. Box 15027
Las Vegas, NV 89114
Please ship the calibrated samples listed below to:
Contact Person
Title
Laborato ry
Address
Telephone
NRC License
and/or Type(s)
State License
Number(s)
If either by-products (in quantities greater than exempt quantities) or .
special nuclear materials are requested, a copy of the NRC license(s)
'shoul d accompany the fi rst request. ,"
Radionucl ide Samples Desi red:
NOTE:
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
checking analytical procedures and/or for the calibration of instrumentatiDn.
Date
S i gnat ure
Titl e
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