ASTM D1890-15
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Beta Particle Radioactivity of Water 
Standard Test Method for Beta Particle Radioactivity of Water 
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method was developed for the purpose of measuring the gross beta radioactivity in water. It is used for the analysis of both process and environmental water to determine gross beta activity.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of beta particle activity of water. It is applicable to beta emitters having maximum energies above 0.1 MeV and at activity levels above 0.02 Bq/mL (540 pCi/L) of radioactive homogeneous water for most counting systems. This test method is not applicable to samples containing radionuclides that are volatile under conditions of the analysis.
1.2 This test method can be used for either absolute or relative determinations. In tracer work, the results may be expressed by comparison with a standard which is defined to be 100 %. For radioassay, data may be expressed in terms of a known radionuclide standard if the radionuclides of concern are known and no fractionation occurred during processing, or may be expressed arbitrarily in terms of some other standard such as 137Cs. General information on radioactivity and measurement of radiation may be found in the literature2, 3, 4, 5 and Practice D3648.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: D1890 − 15
Standard Test Method for
1
Beta Particle Radioactivity of Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1890; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
6
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of beta par- 2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1129Terminology Relating to Water
ticle activity of water. It is applicable to beta emitters having
maximumenergiesabove0.1MeVandatactivitylevelsabove D1193Specification for Reagent Water
D2777Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
0.02Bq/mL(540pCi/L)ofradioactivehomogeneouswaterfor
most counting systems. This test method is not applicable to Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
D3370Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
samples containing radionuclides that are volatile under con-
ditions of the analysis. D3648Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity
1.2 This test method can be used for either absolute or
3. Terminology
relative determinations. In tracer work, the results may be
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
expressedbycomparisonwithastandardwhichisdefinedtobe
3.1.1 Becquerel—a unit of radioactivity equivalent to 1
100%. For radioassay, data may be expressed in terms of a
nuclear transformation per second.
known radionuclide standard if the radionuclides of concern
3.1.2 beta energy, maximum—the maximum energy of the
are known and no fractionation occurred during processing, or
beta-particle energy spectrum produced during beta decay of a
may be expressed arbitrarily in terms of some other standard
137
given radioactive species.
such as Cs. General information on radioactivity and mea-
2, 3, 4, 5
3.1.2.1 Discussion—Sinceagivenbeta-particleemittermay
surementofradiationmaybefoundintheliterature and
decay to several different quantum states of the product
Practice D3648.
nucleus, more than one maximum energy may be listed for a
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
given radioactive species.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.1.3 counter background—in the measurement of
standard.
radioactivity, the counting rate resulting from factors other
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
than the radioactivity of the sample and reagents used.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.3.1 Discussion—Counter background varies with the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
location, shielding of the detector, and the electronics; it
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
includes cosmic rays, contaminating radioactivity and electri-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
cal noise.
3.1.4 counter beta-particle effıciency—in the measurement
of radioactivity, that fraction of beta particles emitted by a
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D19 on Water
source which is detected by the counter.
andisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD19.04onMethodsofRadiochemi-
cal Analysis. 3.1.5 counter effıciency—in the measurement of
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2015. Published February 2015. Originally
radioactivity, that fraction of the disintegrations occurring in a
approved in 1961. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D1890–05 (2012).
source which is detected by the counter.
DOI: 10.1520/D1890-15.
2
Friedlander, G., et al., Nuclear and Radiochemistry, 3rd Ed., John Wiley and
3.1.6 radioactive homogeneous water—water in which the
Sons, Inc., New York, NY, 1981.
radioactive material is uniformly dispersed throughout the
3
Price, W. J., Nuclear Radiation Detection, 2nd Ed., McGraw-Hill Book Co.,
Inc., New York, NY, 1964.
4 6
Lapp, R. E., and Andrews, H. L., Nuclear Radiation Physics, 4th Ed., For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Prentice-Hall Inc., New York, NY, 1972. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
5
Overman, R. T., and Clark, H. M., Radioisotope Techniques, McGraw-Hill
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Book Co., Inc., New York, NY, 1960.
the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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D1890 − 15
2, 3, 4, 5
volume of water sample and remains so until the measurement dencelosseshavebeendiscussed andmaybedescribed
is completed or until the sa
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D1890 − 05 (Reapproved 2012) D1890 − 15
Standard Test Method for
1
Beta Particle Radioactivity of Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1890; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of beta particle activity of water. It is applicable to beta emitters having maximum
energies above 0.1 MeV and at activity levels above 0.02 Bq/mL (540 pCi/L) of radioactive homogeneous water for most counting
systems. This test method is not applicable to samples containing radionuclides that are volatile under conditions of the analysis.
1.2 This test method can be used for either absolute or relative determinations. In tracer work, the results may be expressed by
comparison with a standard which is defined to be 100 %. For radioassay, data may be expressed in terms of a known radionuclide
standard if the radionuclides of concern are known and no fractionation occurred during processing, or may be expressed arbitrarily
137
in terms of some other standard such as Cs. General information on radioactivity and measurement of radiation may be found
2, 3, 4, 5
in the literature literature and Practice D3648.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
6
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
D3648 Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 Becquerel—a unit of radioactivity equivalent to 1 nuclear transformation per second.
3.1.2 beta energy, maximum—the maximum energy of the beta-particle energy spectrum produced during beta decay of a given
radioactive species.
NOTE 1—Since a given beta-particle emitter may decay to several different quantum states of the product nucleus, more than one maximum energy
may be listed for a given radioactive species.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.04 on Methods of Radiochemical
Analysis.
Current edition approved June 1, 2012Jan. 1, 2015. Published August 2012February 2015. Originally approved in 1961. Last previous edition approved in 20052012 as
D1890 – 05.D1890 – 05 (2012). DOI: 10.1520/D1890-05R12.10.1520/D1890-15.
2
Friedlander, G., et al., Nuclear and Radiochemistry, 3rd Ed., John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, NY, 1981.Friedlander, G., et al., Nuclear and Radiochemistry , 3rd
Ed., John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, NY, 1981.
Price, W. J., Nuclear Radiation Detection, 2nd Ed., McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York, NY, 1964.
Lapp, R. E., and Andrews, H. L., Nuclear Radiation Physics, 4th Ed., Prentice-Hall Inc., New York, NY, 1972.
Overman, R. T., and Clark, H. M., Radioisotope Techniques, McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York, NY, 1960.
3
Price, W. J., Nuclear Radiation Detection, 2nd Ed., McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York, NY, 1964.
4
Lapp, R. E., and Andrews, H. L., Nuclear Radiation Physics, 4th Ed., Prentice-Hall Inc., New York, NY, 1972.
5
Overman, R. T., and Clark, H. M., Radioisotope Techniques, McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York, NY, 1960.
6
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D1890 − 15
3.1.2.1 Discussion—
Since a given beta-particle emitter may decay to several different qua
...
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