Improvement of measuring methods and instrumentation concerning (222)Rn determination in drinking waters - RAD7 and LSC technique comparison

Appl Radiat Isot. 2015 Apr:98:117-24. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2015.01.028. Epub 2015 Feb 2.

Abstract

A procedure for the determination of (222)Rn in environmental water samples using liquid scintillation counting (LSC) was applied and optimized. A minimum detectable activity of 0.029Bql(-1) in a 20ml glass vial (10ml water sample mixed with 10ml of liquid scintillation cocktail) has been achieved during 300min of measurement time. The procedure was compared with RAD7 radon detector measurements. (226)Ra content in the water was determined by gamma-ray spectroscopy. Applications to drinking waters collected from public drinking fountains in the Vojvodina (Serbia) are presented with annual effective dose for ingestion and inhalation for adults calculated.

Keywords: Liquid scintillation counting; RAD7 spectrometer; Radon measurements.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Drinking Water / adverse effects
  • Drinking Water / analysis
  • Humans
  • Radiometry / instrumentation
  • Radiometry / methods*
  • Radon / analysis*
  • Scintillation Counting / instrumentation
  • Scintillation Counting / methods*
  • Serbia
  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive / analysis*

Substances

  • Drinking Water
  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Radon