www. epa. gov/researc h
technical BRIEF
BUILDING A SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATION FOR SOUND ENVIRONMENTAL DECISIONS
I
Rapid Radiochemical Methods for
Asphalt Paving Material and Asphalt
Shingles Matrices for Use during
Environmental Remediation and
Recovery
INTRODUCTION
In the event of a nuclear or radiological contamination event, the
response community will require tools and methodologies to rapidly assess the nature and
extent of contamination. To characterize radiologically contaminated areas (e.g., airport or
urban center) and inform risk assessment, large numbers of samples will be collected and
analyzed over a short period of time. The objective of this research is to develop robust
analytical methods to enhance laboratories' ability to process
and analyze large numbers of samples following a
radiological/nuclear release. Improved laboratory capacity
and capability will enable emergency response officials to
more rapidly and accurately characterize contaminated
areas.
A number of federal agencies have recognized the need to
ensure adequate laboratory infrastructure to support
response and recovery actions following an intentional or
unintentional major radiological/nuclear incident. The
Integrated Consortium of Laboratory Networks (ICLN),
created in 2005 by ten federal agencies, consists of existing
laboratory networks across the federal government. The
ICLN is designed to provide a national infrastructure with a
coordinated and operational system of laboratory networks
that provide timely, high-quality, and interpretable results for
early detection and effective consequence management
following acts of terrorism and other events requiring
integrated laboratory response. In response to this need, the
Homeland Security Research Program (HSRP) established a
relationship with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's
(EPA's) Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (ORIA) with regard
to responsibilities in support of EPA's Environmental
Response Laboratory Network (ERLN) and the ICLN. The
HSRP and ORIA coordinate radiological reference laboratory
priorities and activities in conjunction with HSRP's Partner Process. As part of the collaboration,
U.S. EPA's Homeland Security
Research Program (HSRP)
develops products based on
scientific research and
technology evaluations. Our
products and expertise are
widely used in preventing,
preparing for, and recovering
from public health and
environmental emergencies that
arise from terrorist attacks or
natural disasters. Our research
and products address biological,
radiological, or chemical
contaminants that could affect
indoor areas, outdoor areas, or
water infrastructure. HSRP
provides these products,
technical assistance, and
expertise to support EPA's roles
and responsibilities under the
National Response Framework,
statutory requirements, and
Presidential Directives.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development, Homeland Security Research Program
EPA 600/S-16/257
September 2016

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the HSRP worked with ORIA to publish rapid radioanalytical methods for selected radionuclides
in building material matrices.
RAPID RADIOCHEMICAL ANALYTICAL METHODS DEVELOPMENT
Validated rapid radiochemical methods for alpha and beta emitters in solid matrices that are
commonly encountered in urban environments were previously unavailable for public use by
responding laboratories. A lack of tested rapid methods would delay the quick determination of
contamination levels and the assessment of acceptable site-specific exposure levels. Of special
concern are matrices with rough and porous surfaces, which allow the movement of radioactive
material deep into the building material making it difficult to detect. This research focuses on
methods that address preparation, radiochemical separation, and analysis of asphalt paving
materials and asphalt roofing shingles. These matrices, common to outdoor environments,
challenge the capability and capacity of very experienced radiochemistry laboratories.
Generally, routine sample preparation and dissolution techniques produce liquid samples
(representative of the original sample material) that can be processed using available
radiochemical methods. The asphalt materials are especially difficult because they do not
readily lend themselves to these routine sample preparation and dissolution techniques.
Development and use of these methods by ERLN-member radiological laboratories (federal,
state, local, and commercial) fulfill the need for consistent, accurate analysis of large numbers
of samples over a short period of time. These methods facilitate sharing sample load between
laboratories, and improve data quality and comparability. They simplify the task of outsourcing
analytical support to the commercial laboratory sector and improve the follow-up activities of
validating results, evaluating data, and making risk-management decisions. The result of this
research accelerates existing analytical throughput times so that each laboratory can process a
larger number of samples per day.
This is the first issue of rapid methods for americium-241, plutonium-238 and plutonium-
239/240, isotopic uranium, radiostrontium (strontium-90), and radium-226 in asphalt paving
materials and asphalt roofing shingles. The methods have been single-laboratory validated in
accordance with EPA and industry guidance documents. Single laboratory validation testing
shows that the methods can achieve required quality objectives that are based on conservative
risk or dose values for the intermediate and recovery phases of an emergency response. The
methods also have been tested to determine the time required to process a batch of samples.
For these radionuclides, analysis results for asphalt paving material samples can be available
within 9 to 18 hours, and asphalt roofing shingles within 9 to 21 hours (range depends on count
times). Tables 1 and 2 provide a summary of method performance information.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development, Homeland Security Research Program
EPA 600/S-16/257
September 2016

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Table 1: Asphalt Paving Material Methods
Radionuclide
Analytical
Action Level
(AAL)
Minimum
Detectable
Concentration
Tested
(MDC)
Estimated Time to
Obtain Sample
Analysis Results
E
<
CM
1.5 pCi/g
0.20 pCi/g
9-16 Hours
238/239+240pu
1.5 pCi/g
0.20 pCi/g
10-17 Hours
226Ra
5.2 pCi/g
2.1 pCi/g
11-18 Hours
90Sr
2.4 pCi/g
0.40 pCi/g
10-11 Hours
238 (J
234U
13 pCi/g
12 pCi/g
2.0 pCi/g
1.9 pCi/g
9-16 Hours
Table 2: Asphalt Roofing Shingles Methods
Radionuclide
Analytical
Action Level
(AAL) as
Tested
Minimum
Detectable
Concentration
(MDC)
Estimated Time to
Obtain Sample
Analysis Results
E
<
CM
1.5 pCi/g
0.20 pCi/g
12 - 19 Hours
238/239+240pu
1.8 pCi/g
0.20 pCi/g
9-16 Hours
226Ra
2.6 pCi/g
0.21 pCi/g
14 - 21 Hours
90Sr
4.7 pCi/g
0.27 pCi/g
12 - 13 Hours
238U
234U
12 pCi/g
12 pCi/g
0.21 pCi/g
0.20 pCi/g
12 - 19 Hours
These new methods will accelerate the analytical turnaround time necessary leading to quicker
sample processing while providing quantitative results that meet measurement quality
objectives. The methods are designed to be used during the intermediate and recovery phases
of the emergency response to a nuclear or radiological incident of national significance, such as
the detonation of an improvised nuclear device or a radiological dispersal device. It should be
noted that these methods were not developed for drinking water compliance monitoring and
should not be considered as having EPA approval for that or any other regulatory program.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development, Homeland Security Research Program
EPA 600/S-16/257
September 2016

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LINK TO ASPHALT PAVING MATERIALS METHOD
Rapid Method for Sodium Hydroxide Fusion of Asphalt Matrices Prior to Americium,
Plutonium, Strontium, Radium, and Uranium Analyses, EPA- 402/R16-001, Revision 0,
August 2016. https://www.epa.gov/radiation/rapid-radiochemical-methods-selected-
radionuclides
LINK TO ASPHALT SHINGLE METHOD
Rapid Method for Sodium Hydroxide Fusion of Asphalt Roofing Material Matrices Prior to
Americium, Plutonium, Strontium, Radium, and Uranium Analyses, EPA-402/R16-003,
Revision 0, August 2016. https://www.epa.gov/radiation/rapid-radiochemical-methods-
selected-radionuclides
CONTACT INFORMATION
For more information, visit the EPA Web site at https://www.epa.gov/homeland-security-
research.
Technical Contacts: John Griggs (griggs.iohn@epa.gov): Kathy Hall (hall.kathy@epa.gov)
General Feedback/Questions: Kathy Nickel (nickel.kathy@epa.gov)
If you have difficulty accessing this PDF document, please contact Kathy Nickel
(nickel.kathy@epa.gov) or Amelia McCall (mccall.amelia@epa.gov) for assistance.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Research and Development, Homeland Security Research Program
EPA 600/S-16/257
September 2016

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