NUREG-1576
EPA402-B-04-001C
NTIS PB2004-105421
Multi-Agency Radiological
Laboratory Analytical Protocols Manual
(MARLAP)
Part II: Chapters 18-20
Appendix G
(Volume III)
United States Environmental Protection Agency
United States Department of Defense
United States Department of Energy
United States Department of Homeland Security
United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission
United States Food and Drug Administration
United States Geological Survey
National Institute of Standards and Technology
July 2004
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Disclaimer
References within this manual to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade
name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily imply its endorsement or
recommendation by the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor
any agency or branch thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, expressed or
implied, nor assumes any legal liability of responsibility for any third party's use, or the results
of such use, of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed in this manual, nor
represents that its use by such third party would not infringe on privately owned rights.
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FOREWORD
MARLAP is organized into two parts. Part I, consisting of Chapters 1 through 9, is intended
primarily for project planners and managers. Part I introduces the directed planning process
central to MARLAP and provides guidance on project planning with emphasis on radioanalytical
planning issues and radioanalytical data requirements. Part n, consisting of Chapters 10 through
20, is intended primarily for laboratory personnel and provides guidance in the relevant areas of
radioanalytical laboratory work. In addition, MARLAP contains seven appendices—labeled A
through G—that provide complementary information, detail background information, or concepts
pertinent to more than one chapter. Six chapters and one appendix are immediately followed by
one or more attachments that the authors believe will provide additional or more detailed
explanations of concepts discussed within the chapter. Attachments to chapters have letter
designators (e.g, Attachment "6A" or "3B"), while attachments to appendices are numbered (e.g.,
"Bl"). Thus, "Section B.I.I" refers to section 1.1 of appendix B, while "Section B 1.1" refers to
section 1 of attachment 1 to appendix B. Cross-references within the text are explicit in order to
avoid confusion.
Because of its length, the printed version of MARLAP is bound in three volumes. Volume I
(Chapters 1 through 9 and Appendices A through E) contains Part I. Because of its length, Part II
is split between Volumes II and III. Volume II (Chapters 10 through 17 and Appendix F) covers
most of the activities performed at radioanalytical laboratories, from field and sampling issues
that affect laboratory measurements through waste management. Volume III (Chapters 18
through 20 and Appendix G) covers laboratory quality control, measurement uncertainty and
detection and quantification capability. Each volume includes a table of contents, list of
acronyms and abbreviations, and a complete glossary of terms.
MARLAP and its periodic revisions are available online at www.epa.gov/radiation/marlap and
www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/srl576/. The online version is updated
periodically and may differ from the last printed version. Although references to material found
on a web site bear the date the material was accessed, the material available on the date cited may
subsequently be removed from the site. Printed and CD-ROM versions of MARLAP are
available through the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). NTIS may be accessed
online at www.ntis.gov. The NTIS Sales Desk can be reached between 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Eastern Time, Monday through Friday at 1-800-553-6847; TDD (hearing impaired only) at 703-
487-4639 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m Eastern Time, Monday through Friday; or fax at 703-
605-6900.
MARLAP is a living document, and future editions are already under consideration. Users are
urged to provide feedback on how MARLAP can be improved. While suggestions may not
always be acknowledged or adopted, commentors may be assured that they will be considered
carefully. Comments may be submitted electronically through a link on EPA's MARLAP web
site (www.epa.gov/radiation/marlap).
JULY 2004 III MARLAP
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CONTENTS (VOLUME III)
Page
List of Figures XI
List of Tables XII
Acronyms and Abbreviations XIII
Unit Conversion Factors XXI
18 Laboratory Quality Control 18-1
18.1 Introduction 18-1
18.1.1 Organization of Chapter 18-2
18.1.2 Format 18-2
18.2 Quality Control 18-3
18.3 Evaluation of Performance Indicators 18-3
18.3.1 Importance of Evaluating Performance Indicators 18-3
18.3.2 Statistical Means of Evaluating Performance Indicators — Control Charts .. 18-5
18.3.3 Tolerance Limits 18-7
18.3.4 Measurement Uncertainty 18-8
18.4 Radiochemistry Performance Indicators 18-9
18.4.1 Method and Reagent Blank 18-9
18.4.2 Laboratory Replicates 18-13
18.4.3 Laboratory Control Samples, Matrix Spikes, and Matrix Spike Duplicates . 18-16
18.4.4 Certified Reference Materials 18-18
18.4.5 Chemical/Tracer Yield 18-21
18.5 Instrumentation Performance Indicators 18-24
18.5.1 Instrument Background Measurements 18-24
18.5.2 Efficiency Calibrations 18-26
18.5.3 Spectrometry Systems 18-29
18.5.3.1 Energy Calibrations 18-29
18.5.3.2 Peak Resolution and Tailing 18-32
18.5.4 Gas Proportional Systems 18-36
18.5.4.1 Voltage Plateaus 18-36
18.5.4.2 Self-Absorption, Backscatter, and Crosstalk 18-37
18.5.5 Liquid Scintillation 18-38
18.5.6 Summary Guidance on Instrument Calibration, Background,
and Quality Control 18-40
18.5.6.1 Gas Proportional Counting Systems 18-42
18.5.6.2 Gamma-Ray Detectors and Spectrometry Systems 18-45
18.5.6.3 Alpha Detector and Spectrometry Systems 18-49
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Contents
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18.5.6.4 Liquid Scintillation Systems 18-51
18.5.7 Non-Nuclear Instrumentation 18-53
18.6 Related Concerns 18-54
18.6.1 Detection Capability 18-54
18.6.2 Radioactive Equilibrium 18-54
18.6.3 Half-Life 18-57
18.6.4 Interferences 18-58
18.6.5 Negative Results 18-60
18.6.6 Blind Samples 18-61
18.6.7 Calibration of Apparatus Used for Mass and Volume Measurements 18-63
18.7 References 18-65
18.7.1 Cited Sources 18-65
18.7.2 Other Sources 18-67
Attachment ISA: Control Charts 18-69
ISA. 1 Introduction 18-69
18A.2 JTCharts 18-69
18A.3 X Charts 18-72
18A.4 R Charts 18-74
18A.5 Control Charts for Instrument Response 18-75
18A.6 References 18-79
Attachment 18B: Statistical Tests for QC Results 18-81
18B. 1 Introduction 18-81
18B.2 Tests for Excess Variance in the Instrument Response 18-81
18B.3 Instrument Background Measurements 18-88
18B.3.1 Detection of Background Variability 18-88
18B.3.2 Comparing a Single Observation to Preset Limits 18-90
18B.3.3 Comparing the Results of Consecutive Measurements 18-93
18B.4 Negative Activities 18-96
18B.5 References 18-96
19 Measurement Uncertainty 19-1
19.1 Overview 19-1
19.2 The Need for Uncertainty Evaluation 19-1
19.3 Evaluating and Expressing Measurement Uncertainty 19-3
19.3.1 Measurement, Error, and Uncertainty 19-3
19.3.2 The Measurement Process 19-4
19.3.3 Analysis of Measurement Uncertainty 19-6
19.3.4 Corrections for Systematic Effects 19-7
19.3.5 Counting Uncertainty 19-7
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Contents
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19.3.6 Expanded Uncertainty 19-7
19.3.7 Significant Figures 19-8
19.3.8 Reporting the Measurement Uncertainty 19-9
19.3.9 Recommendations 19-10
19.4 Procedures for Evaluating Uncertainty 19-11
19.4.1 Identifying Sources of Uncertainty 19-12
19.4.2 Evaluation of Standard Uncertainties 19-13
19.4.2.1 Type A Evaluations 19-13
19.4.2.2 Type B Evaluations 19-16
19.4.3 Combined Standard Uncertainty 19-20
19.4.3.1 Uncertainty Propagation Formula 19-20
19.4.3.2 Components of Uncertainty 19-24
19.4.3.3 Special Forms of the Uncertainty Propagation Formula 19-25
19.4.4 The Estimated Covariance of Two Output Estimates 19-26
19.4.5 Special Considerations for Nonlinear Models 19-29
19.4.5.1 Uncertainty Propagation for Nonlinear Models 19-29
19.4.5.2 Bias due to Nonlinearity 19-31
19.4.6 Monte Carlo Methods 19-34
19.5 Radiation Measurement Uncertainty 19-34
19.5.1 Radioactive Decay 19-34
19.5.2 Radiation Counting 19-35
19.5.2.1 Binomial Model 19-35
19.5.2.2 Poisson Approximation 19-36
19.5.3 Count Time and Count Rate 19-38
19.5.3.1 Dead Time 19-39
19.5.3.2 A Confidence Interval for the Count Rate 19-40
19.5.4 Instrument Background 19-41
19.5.5 Radiochemical Blanks 19-42
19.5.6 Counting Efficiency 19-43
19.5.7 Radionuclide Half-Life 19-47
19.5.8 Gamma-Ray Spectrometry 19-48
19.5.9 Balances 19-48
19.5.10 Pipets and Other Volumetric Apparatus 19-52
19.5.11 Digital Displays and Rounding 19-54
19.5.12 Subsampling 19-55
19.5.13 The Standard Uncertainty for a Hypothetical Measurement 19-56
19.6 References 19-58
19.6.1 Cited Sources 19-58
19.6.2 Other Sources 19-61
Attachment 19A: Statistical Concepts and Terms 19-63
JULY 2004 VII MARLAP
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Contents
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19A. 1 Basic Concepts 19-63
19A.2 Probability Distributions 19-66
19A.2.1 Normal Distributions 19-67
19A.2.2 Log-normal Distributions 19-68
19A.2.3 Chi-squared Distributions 19-69
19A.2.4 T-Distributions 19-70
19A.2.5 Rectangular Distributions 19-71
19A.2.6 Trapezoidal and Triangular Distributions 19-72
19A.2.7 Exponential Distributions 19-73
19A.2.8 Binomial Distributions 19-73
19A.2.9 Poisson Distributions 19-74
19A.3 References 19-76
Attachment 19B: Example Calculations 19-77
19B.1 Overview 19-77
19B.2 Sample Collection and Analysis 19-77
19B.3 The Measurement Model 19-78
19B.4 The Combined Standard Uncertainty 19-80
Attachment 19C: Multicomponent Measurement Models 19-83
19C.1 Introduction 19-83
19C.2 The Covariance Matrix 19-83
19C.3 Least-Squares Regression 19-83
19C.4 References 19-84
Attachment 19D: Estimation of Coverage Factors 19-85
19D. 1 Introduction 19-85
19D.2 Procedure 19-85
19D.2.1 Basis of Procedure 19-85
19D.2.2 Assumptions 19-85
19D.2.3 Effective Degrees of Freedom 19-86
19D.2.4 Coverage Factor 19-87
19D.3 Poisson Counting Uncertainty 19-88
19D.4 References 19-91
Attachment 19E: Uncertainties of Mass and Volume Measurements 19-93
19E.1 Purpose 19-93
19E.2 Mass Measurements 19-93
19E.2.1 Considerations 19-93
19E.2.2 Repeatability 19-94
19E.2.3 Environmental Factors 19-95
19E.2.4 Calibration 19-97
19E.2.5 Linearity 19-98
19E.2.6 Gain or Loss of Mass 19-98
MARLAP VIII JULY 2004
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Contents
19E.2.7 Air-Buoyancy Corrections 19-99
19E.2.8 Combining the Components 19-103
19E.3 Volume Measurements 19-105
19E.3.1 First Approach 19-105
19E.3.2 Second Approach 19-108
19E.3.3 Third Approach 19-111
19E.4 References 19-111
20 Detection and Quantification Capabilities 20-1
20.1 Overview 20-1
20.2 Concepts and Definitions 20-1
20.2.1 Analyte Detection Decisions 20-1
20.2.2 The Critical Value 20-3
20.2.3 The Blank 20-5
20.2.4 The Minimum Detectable Concentration 20-5
20.2.6 Other Detection Terminologies 20-9
20.2.7 The Minimum Quantifiable Concentration 20-10
20.3 Recommendations 20-11
20.4 Calculation of Detection and Quantification Limits 20-12
20.4.1 Calculation of the Critical Value 20-12
20.4.1.1 Normally Distributed Signals 20-13
20.4.1.2 Poisson Counting 20-13
20.4.1.3 Batch Blanks 20-17
20.4.2 Calculation of the Minimum Detectable Concentration 20-18
20.4.2.1 The Minimum Detectable Net Instrument Signal 20-19
20.4.2.2 Normally Distributed Signals 20-20
20.4.2.3 Poisson Counting 20-24
20.4.2.4 More Conservative Approaches 20-28
20.4.2.5 Experimental Verification of the MDC 20-28
20.4.3 Calculation of the Minimum Quantifiable Concentration 20-29
20.5 References 20-33
20.5.1 Cited Sources 20-33
20.5.2 Other Sources 20-35
Attachment 20A: Low-Background Detection Issues 20-37
20A.1 Overview 20-37
20A.2 Calculation of the Critical Value 20-37
20A.2.1 Normally Distributed Signals 20-37
20A.2.2 Poisson Counting 20-39
20A.3 Calculation of the Minimum Detectable Concentration 20-53
20A.3.1 Normally Distributed Signals 20-54
20A.3.2 Poisson Counting 20-58
JULY 2004 IX MARLAP
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Contents
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20A.4 References 20-62
MARLAP X JULY 2004
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Contents
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Appendix (Volume III)
G Statistical Tables G-l
Glossary End of volume
JULY 2004 XI MARLAP
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Contents
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List of Figures (Volume III)
Figure 18.1 Problems leading to loss of analytical control 18-4
Figure 18.2 Control chart for daily counting of a standard reference source, with limits corrected
for decay 18-7
Figure 18.3 Three general categories of blank changes 18-12
Figure 18.4 Failed performance indicator: replicates 18-15
Figure 18.5 Failed performance indicator: chemical yield 18-23
Figure 19.1 Addition of uncertainty components 19-25
Figure 19.2 Expected fraction of atoms remaining at time t 19-35
Figure 19.3 A symmetric distribution 19-64
Figure 19.4 An asymmetric distribution 19-65
Figure 19.5 A normal distribution 19-67
Figure 19.6 A log-normal distribution 19-68
Figure 19.7 Chi-squared distributions 19-69
Figure 19.8 The ^-distribution with 3 degrees of freedom 19-70
Figure 19.9 A rectangular distribution 19-72
Figure 19.10 A trapezoidal distribution 19-72
Figure 19.11 An exponential distribution 19-73
Figure 19.12a Poisson distribution vs. normal distribution, // = 3 19-75
Figure 19.12b Poisson distribution vs. normal distribution, ju = 100 19-76
Figure 19.13 Nonlinear balance response curve 19-98
Figure 20.1 The critical net signal, Sc, and minimum detectable net signal, SD 20-6
Figure 20.2 Type I error rates for Table 20.1 20-41
Figure 20.3 Type I error rate for the Poisson-normal approximation (tB = ts) 20-42
Figure 20.4 Type I error rates for Formula A 20-44
Figure 20.5 Type I error rates for Formula B 20-45
Figure 20.6 Type I error rates for Formula C 20-46
Figure 20.7 Type I error rates for the Stapleton approximation 20-48
Figure 20.8 Type I error rates for the nonrandomized exact test 20-49
MARLAP XII JULY 2004
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Contents
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List of Tables (Volume III)
Table 18. la Certified Massic activities for natural radionuclides with a normal distribution of
measurement results 18-20
Table 18. Ib Certified Massic activities for anthropogenic radionuclides with a Weibull
distribution of measurement results 18-20
Table 18. Ic Uncertified Massic activities 18-20
Table 18.2 Instrument background evaluation 18-26
Table 18.3 Root-cause analysis of performance check results for spectrometry systems . . . 18-35
Table 18.4 Some causes of excursions in liquid scintillation analysis 18-40
Table 18.5 Example gas proportional instrument calibration, background frequency, and
performance criteria 18-44
Table 18.6 Example gamma spectrometry instrument calibration, background frequency, and
performance criteria 18-48
Table 18.7 Example alpha spectrometry instrument calibration, background frequency, and
performance criteria 18-50
Table 18.8 Example liquid scintillation counting systems calibration, background frequency, and
performance criteria 18-53
Table 18A.I Bias-correction factor for the experimental standard deviation 18-70
Table 19.1 Differentiation rules 19-21
Table 19.2 Applications of the first-order uncertainty propagation formula 19-21
Table 19.3 95 % confidence interval for a Poisson mean 19-75
Table 19.4 Input estimates and standard uncertainties 19-81
Table 19.5 Coefficients of cubical expansion 19-107
Table 19.6 Density of air-free water 19-109
Table 20.1 Critical gross count (well-known blank) 20-40
Table 20.2 Bias factor for the experimental standard deviation 20-55
Table 20.3 Estimated and true values of SD (tB = ^s) 20-62
Table G.I Quantiles of the standard normal distribution G-l
Table G.2 Quantiles of Student's t distribution G-3
Table G.3 Quantiles of chi-square G-5
Table G.4 Critical values for the nonrandomized exact test G-7
Table G.5 Summary of probability distributions G-l 1
JULY 2004 XIII MARLAP
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MARLAP XIV JULY 2004
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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
AC alternating current
ADC analog to digital convenor
AEA Atomic Energy Act
AL action level
AMS accelerator mass spectrometry
ANSI American National Standards Institute
AOAC Association of Official Analytical Chemists
APHA American Public Health Association
APS analytical protocol specification
ARAR applicable or relevant and appropriate requirement (CERCLA/Superfund)
ASL analytical support laboratory
ASQC American Society for Quality Control
ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials
AID alpha track detector
BGO bismuth germanate [detector]
BNL Brookhaven National Laboratory (DOE)
BOA basic ordering agreement
CAA Clean Air Act
CC charcoal canisters
CEDE committed effective dose equivalent
CERCLA .... Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of
1980 ("Superfund")
c.f carrier free [tracer]
cfm cubic feet per minute
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CL central line (of a control chart)
CMPO [octyl(phenyl)]-N,N-diisobutylcarbonylmethylphosphine oxide
CMST Characterization, Monitoring, and Sensor Technology Program (DOE)
CO contracting officer
COC chain of custody
COR contracting officer's representative
cpm counts per minute
cps counts per second
CRM (1) continuous radon monitor; (2) certified reference material
CSU combined standard uncertainty
CV coefficient of variation
CWA Clean Water Act
CWLM continuous working level monitor
JULY 2004
XV
MARLAP
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Acronyms and Abbreviations
D
DAAP . . .
DC
DCGL. . .
DHS ....
DIN
DL
DoD ....
DOE ....
DOELAP
DOT ....
OOP ....
dpm ....
DPPP . . .
DQA ....
DQI
DQO ....
DTPA . . .
DVB ....
EDO ....
EDTA . . .
EGTA . . .
EMEDD .
EPA ....
ERPRIMS
ESC ....
eV
FAR ....
FBO ....
FDA ....
FEP
fg
FOM ....
FWHM . .
FWTM . .
day[s]
homogeneous distribution coefficient
diamylamylphosphonate
direct current
derived concentration guideline level
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
di-isopropylnaphthalene
discrimination limit
U.S. Department of Defense
U.S. Department of Energy
DOE Laboratory Accreditation Program
U.S. Department of Transportation
dispersed oil particulate
disintegrations per minute
dipentylpentylphosphonate
data quality assessment
data quality indicator
data quality objective
diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid
divinylbenzene
emission probability per decay event
maximum beta-particle energy
electronic data deliverable
ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid
ethyleneglycol bis(2-aminoethylether)-tetraacetate
environmental management electronic data deliverable (DOE)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Resources Program Management System (U.S. Air Force)
expedited site characterization; expedited site conversion
electron volts
Federal Acquisition Regulations, CFR Title 48
Federal Business Opportunities [formerly Commerce Business Daily]
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
full energy peak
femtogram
figure of merit
full width of a peak at half maximum
full width of a peak at tenth maximum
MARLAP
XVI
JULY 2004
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Acronyms and Abbreviations
GC gas chromatography
GLPC gas-liquid phase chromatography
GM Geiger-Mueller [detector]
GP gas proportional [counter]
GUM Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (ISO)
Gy gray[s]
h hour[s]
H0 null hypothesis
HA, Hj alternative hypothesis
HDBP dibutylphosphoric acid
HDEHP bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid
HDPE high-density polyethylene
HLW high-level [radioactive] waste
HPGe high-purity germanium
HPLC high-pressure liquid chromatography; high-performance liquid chromatography
HTRW hazardous, toxic, and radioactive waste
IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency
ICRU International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements
ICP-MS inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy
IPPD integrated product and process development
ISO International Organization for Standardization
IUPAC International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
k coverage factor
keV kilo electron volts
KPA kinetic phosphorimeter analysis
LAN local area network
LANL Los Alamos National Laboratory (DOE)
LBGR lower bound of the gray region
LCL lower control limit
LCS laboratory control samples
LDPE low-density polyethylene
LEGe low-energy germanium
LEVIS laboratory information management system
LLD lower limit of detection
LLNL Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (DOE)
LLRW low-level radioactive waste
LLRWPA .... Low Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act
JULY 2004
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MARLAP
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Acronyms and Abbreviations
LOMI low oxidation-state transition-metal ion
LPC liquid-partition chromatography; liquid-phase chromatography
LS liquid scintillation
LSC liquid scintillation counter
LWL lower warning limit
MAPEP Mixed Analyte Performance Evaluation Program (DOE)
MARS SIM . . . Multi-Agency Radiation Survey and Site Investigation Manual
MCA multichannel analyzer
MCL maximum contaminant limit
MDA minimum detectable amount; minimum detectable activity
MDC minimum detectable concentration
MDL method detection limit
MeV mega electron volts
MIBK methyl isobutyl ketone
min minute[s]
MPa megapascals
MQC minimum quantifiable concentration
MQO measurement quality objective
MS matrix spike; mass spectrometer
MSD matrix spike duplicate
MVRM method validation reference material
NAA
Nal(Tl)
NCP
NCRP
NELAC ....
NESHAP . . .
MM
MST
NPL
NRC
NRIP
NTA (NTTA)
NTU
NVLAP ....
OA
OFHC
neutron activation analysis
thallium-activated sodium iodide [detector]
National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan
National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement
National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (EPA)
nuclear instrumentation module
National Institute of Standards and Technology
National Physics Laboratory (United Kingdom); National Priorities List (United
States)
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
NIST Radiochemistry Intercomparison Program
nitrilotriacetate
nephelometric turbidity units
National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NIST)
observational approach
oxygen-free high-conductivity
MARLAP
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JULY 2004
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Acronyms and Abbreviations
OFPP
Pa
PARCC
PBBO
PCB
pCi
pdf
PE
PERALS
PFA
PIC
PIPS
PM
PMT
PT
PTB
PTFE
PUREX
PVC
QA
QAP
QAPP
QC
rad
RCRA
REE
REGe
rem
RFP
RFQ
RI/FS
RMDC
ROI
RPD
RPM
RSD
RSO
Office of Federal Procurement Policy
required relative method uncertainty
pascals
precision, accuracy, representativeness, completeness, and comparability
2-(4'-biphenylyl) 6-phenylbenzoxazole
polychlorinated biphenyl
picocurie
probability density function
performance evaluation
Photon Electron Rejecting Alpha Li quid Scintillation®
perfluoroalcoholoxil™
pressurized ionization chamber
planar implanted passivated silicon [detector]
project manager
photomultiplier tube
performance testing
Physikalisch-Technische bundesanstalt (Germany)
polytetrafluoroethylene
plutonium uranium reduction extraction
polyvinyl chloride
quality assurance
Quality Assessment Program (DOE)
quality assurance project plan
quality control
radiation absorbed dose
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
rare earth elements
reverse-electrode germanium
roentgen equivalent: man
request for proposals
request for quotations
remedial investigation/feasibility study
required minimum detectable concentration
region of interest
relative percent difference
remedial project manager
relative standard deviation
radiation safety officer
JULY 2004
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MARLAP
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Acronyms and Abbreviations
s second[s]
SA spike activity
Sc critical value
SAFER Streamlined Approach for Environmental Restoration Program (DOE)
SAM site assessment manager
SAP sampling and analysis plan
SEDD staged electronic data deliverable
SI international system of units
SMO sample management office[r]
SOP standard operating procedure
SOW statement of work
SQC statistical quality control
SPE solid-phase extraction
SR unspiked sample result
SRM standard reference material
SSB silicon surface barrier [alpha detector]
SSR spiked sample result
Sv sievert[s]
t,/2 half-life
TAT turnaround time
TBP tributylphosphate
TC to contain
TCLP toxicity characteristic leaching procedure
TD to deliver
TEC technical evaluation committee
TEDE total effective dose equivalent
TEC technical evaluation committee (USGS)
TES technical evaluation sheet (USGS)
TFM tetrafluorometoxil™
TIMS thermal ionization mass spectrometry
TIOA triisooctylamine
TLD thermoluminescent dosimeter
TnOA tri-n-octylamine
TOPO trioctylphosphinic oxide
TPO technical project officer
TPP technical project planning
TPU total propagated uncertainty
TQM Total Quality Management
TRUEX trans-uranium extraction
TSCA Toxic Substances Control Act
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JULY 2004
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Acronyms and Abbreviations
TSDF treatment, storage, or disposal facility
tSIE transfomed spectral index of the external standard
TTA thenoyltrifluoroacetone
U expanded uncertainty
WMK required absolute method uncertainty
uc(y) combined standard uncertainty
UBGR upper bound of the gray region
UCL upper control limit
USAGE United States Army Corps of Engineers
USGS United States Geological Survey
UV ultraviolet
UWL upper warning limit
V volt[s]
WCP waste certification plan
XML extensible mark-up language
XtGe® extended-range germanium
y year[s]
Y response variable
ZnS(Ag) silver-activated zinc sulfide [detector]
JULY 2004 XXI MARLAP
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UNIT CONVERSION FACTORS
To Convert
Years (y)
Disintegrations
per second (dps)
Bq
Bq/kg
Bq/m3
Bq/m3
Microcuries per
milliliter
(|iCi/mL)
Disintegrations
per minute (dpm)
Gallons (gal)
Gray (Gy)
Roentgen
Equivalent Man
(rem)
To
Seconds (s)
Minutes (min)
Hours (h)
Becquerels (Bq)
Picocuries (pCi)
pCi/g
pCi/L
Bq/L
pCi/L
|iCi
pCi
Liters (L)
rad
Sievert (Sv)
Multiply by
3.16x 107
5.26 x 105
8.77 x 103
1.0
27.03
2.7 x io-2
2.7 x io-2
103
109
4.5 x io-7
4.5 x KT1
3.78
100
io-2
To Convert
s
min
h
Bq
pCi
pCi/g
pCi/L
Bq/L
pCi/L
pCi
Liters
rad
Sv ' '
To
y
dps
Bq
Bq/kg
Bq/m3
Bq/m3
jiCi/mL
dpm
Gallons
Gy ' ' •;_
rem
Multiply by
3,17x:iO~8
1,90 x lQ-« .
1.14 x 1Q~4
1.0,
3.7. xlQ-2 •
37 '
37 . ' •
io~3 - .
iQ-9
2:22 :.".
0.265
io-2
IO2 ,
JULY 2004
XXIII
MARLAP
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