ASTM D1890-05(2012)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Beta Particle Radioactivity of Water
Standard Test Method for Beta Particle Radioactivity of Water 
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
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 literature and Practice D3648.
1.3 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.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D1890 − 05(Reapproved 2012)
Standard Test Method for
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 Department of Defense.
1. Scope D1193Specification for Reagent Water
D2777Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of beta par-
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
ticle activity of water. It is applicable to beta emitters having
D3370Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
maximumenergiesabove0.1MeVandatactivitylevelsabove
D3648Practices for the Measurement of Radioactivity
0.02Bq/mL(540pCi/L)ofradioactivehomogeneouswaterfor
most counting systems. This test method is not applicable to
3. Terminology
samples containing radionuclides that are volatile under con-
ditions of the analysis.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 Becquerel—a unit of radioactivity equivalent to 1
1.2 This test method can be used for either absolute or
nuclear transformation per second.
relative determinations. In tracer work, the results may be
expressedbycomparisonwithastandardwhichisdefinedtobe 3.1.2 beta energy, maximum—the maximum energy of the
beta-particle energy spectrum produced during beta decay of a
100%. For radioassay, data may be expressed in terms of a
known radionuclide standard if the radionuclides of concern given radioactive species.
are known and no fractionation occurred during processing, or
NOTE 1—Since a given beta-particle emitter may decay to several
may be expressed arbitrarily in terms of some other standard
different quantum states of the product nucleus, more than one maximum
such as Cs. General information on radioactivity and mea- energy may be listed for a given radioactive species.
surement of radiation may be found in the literature and
3.1.3 counter background—in the measurement of
Practice D3648.
radioactivity, the counting rate resulting from factors other
1.3 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
NOTE 2—Counter background varies with the location, shielding of the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
detector, and the electronics; it includes cosmic rays, contaminating
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
radioactivity and electrical noise.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.4 counter beta-particle effıciency—in the measurement
of radioactivity, that fraction of beta particles emitted by a
2. Referenced Documents
source which is detected by the counter.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.5 counter effıciency—in the measurement of
D1129Terminology Relating to Water
radioactivity, that fraction of the disintegrations occurring in a
source which is detected by the counter.
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D19 on Water
andisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD19.04onMethodsofRadiochemi-
3.1.6 radioactive homogeneous water—water in which the
cal Analysis.
radioactive material is uniformly dispersed throughout the
Current edition approved June 1, 2012. Published August 2012. Originally
volume of water sample and remains so until the measurement
approved in 1961. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D1890–05. DOI:
10.1520/D1890-05R12. is completed or until the sample is evaporated or precipitating
Friedlander, G., et al., Nuclear and Radiochemistry, 3rd Ed., John Wiley and
reagents are added to the sample.
Sons, Inc., New York, NY, 1981.
Price,W.J.,NuclearRadiationDetection,2ndEd.,McGraw-HillBookCo.,Inc., 3.1.7 reagent background—in the measurement of radioac-
New York, NY, 1964.
tivity of water samples, the counting rate observed when a
Lapp, R. E., and Andrews, H. L., Nuclear Radiation Physics, 4th Ed.,
sample is replaced by mock sample salts or by reagent
Prentice-Hall Inc., New York, NY, 1972.
chemicals used for chemical separations that contain no
Overman,R.T.,andClark,H.M., Radioisotope Techniques,McGraw-HillBook
Co., Inc., New York, NY, 1960.
analyte.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
NOTE 3—Reagent background varies with the reagent chemicals and
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 analytical methods used and may vary with reagents from different
the ASTM website. manufacturers and from different processing lots.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D1890 − 05 (2012)
3.2 Definitions—Fortermsnotdefinedinthistestmethodor
f = backscatter factor or ratio of cps with backing to cps
bs
in Terminology D1129, reference may be made to other
without backing,
published glossaries.
f = factortocorrectforlossesduetoabsorptionintheair
aw
and window of external detectors. It is equal to the
4. Summary of Test Method
ratio of the actual counting rate to that which would
4.1 Beta radioactivity may be measured by one of several beobtainediftherewerenoabsorptionbytheairand
types of instruments composed of a detecting device and window between the source and sensitive volume of
combined amplifier, power supply, and scaler—the most the detector. Expressed in terms of absorption coef-
−µx
widely used being proportional or Geiger-Müller counters. ficient and density of absorber, f =e , where
aw
Where a wide range of counting rates is encountered (0.1 to µ=absorption coefficient, in square centimetres per
1300 counts per seconds), the proportional-type counter is milligram, and x=absorber density in milligrams per
preferable due to a shorter resolving time and greater stability square centimetre.
of the instrument. The test sample is reduced to the minimum f = factor to correct a spread source counting rate to the
d
countingrateofthesameactivityasapointsourceon
weight of solid material having measurable beta activity by
the same axis of the system,
precipitation, ion exchange resin, or evaporation techniques.
f = factor to correct for the absorption and scatter of beta
Beta particles entering the sensitive region of the detector
ssa
particles within the material accompanying the radio-
produceionizationofthecountinggas.Thenegativeionofthe
active element, and
original ion pair is accelerated towards the anode, producing
f = factor for coincident events to correct the counting
additional ionization of the counting gas and developing a c
rate for instrument resolving time losses and defined
voltage pulse at the anode. By use of suitable electronic
by the simplified equation, f =1−nr, where, n=the
apparatus, the pulse is amplified to a voltage sufficient for c
observed counts per second, and r=instrument re-
operation of the counter scaler. The number of pulses per unit
solvingtimeinseconds.Generally,thesamplesizeor
of time is related to the disintegration rate of the test sample.
source to detector distance is varied to obtain a
Thebeta-particleefficiencyofthesystemcanbedeterminedby
counting rate that precludes coincident losses. Infor-
use of prepared standards having the same radionuclide com-
mation on the effect of random disintegration and
position as the test specimen and equivalent residual plated
instrumentresolvingtimeonthesamplecountrateas
solids.An arbitrary efficiency factor can be defined in terms of
wellasmethodsfordeterminingtheresolvingtimeof
some other standard such as cesium-137.
the counting system may be found in the literature.
5. Significance and Use
For most applications, a detector system is calibrated using
5.1 This test method was developed for the purpose of
a single beta emitting radionuclide and an efficiency of
measuring the gross beta radioactivity in water. It is used for
detection, f , response curve generated for various sample
o
the analysis of both process and environmental water to
residue weights. The efficiency of detection for each sample
determine gross beta activity.
residualweightincorporatesallthefactorsmentionedaboveso
that:
6. Measurement Variables
f 5 cps/Bq 5 G f f f f f (2)
~ !~ !~ !~ !~ !~ !
o p bs aw d ssa c
6.1 The relatively high absorption of beta particles in the
sample media and any material interposed between source and
6.1.1 In tracer studies or tests requiring only relative mea-
sensitive volume of the counter results in an interplay of many
surements in which the data are expressed as being equivalent
variables which affect the counting rate of the measurement.
to a defined standard, the above correction factors can be
Thus, for reliable relative measurements, hold all variables
simply combined into a counting efficiency factor. The use of
constant while counting all test samples and standards. For
a counting efficiency factor requires that sample mounting,
absolute measurements, appropriate correction factors are ap-
density of mounting dish, weight of residue in milligrams per
plied. The effects of geometry, backscatter radiation, source
squarecentimetre,andradionuclidecomposition,inadditionto
diameter, self-scatter and self-absorption, absorption in air and
conditions affecting the above described factors, remain con-
detector window for external counters, and counting coinci-
stant throughout the duration of the test and that the compara-
dence losses have been discussed and may be described by
tive standard be prepared for counting in the same manner as
the following relation:
the test samples. The data from comparative studies between
cps 5 Bq ~G !~f !~f !~f !~f !~f ! (1)
b p bs aw d ssa c
independentlaboratories,whennotexpressedinabsoluteunits,
where: are more meaningful when expressed as percentage relation-
shipsorastheequivalentofadefinedstandard.Expressingthe
cps = recordedcountspersecondcorrectedforbackground,
Bq = disintegrations per second yielding beta particles, data in either of these two ways minimizes the differences in
b
G = point source geometry (defined by the solid angle
counters and other equipment and in techniques used by the
p
subtended by the sensitive area of the detector),
laboratories conducting the tests.
6.2 The limit of sensitivity for both Geiger-Muller and
4 proportional counters is a function of the background counting
American National Standard Glossary of Terms in Nuclear Science and
Technology (ANSI N1.1). rate. Massive shielding or anti-coincidence detectors and
D1890 − 05 (2012)
circuitry, or both, are generally used to reduce the background increasing the internal diameter of the shield. The use of a
counting rate to increase the sensitivity. detector without a shield will significantly increase the back-
ground and the detection capability.
7. Interferences
8.1.3 Scaler—Normally the scaler, mechanical register,
7.1 Material interposed between the test sample and the
power supply, and amplifier are contained in a single chassis,
instrumentdetector,aswellasincreasingdensityinthesample
generally termed the scaler. The power supply and amplifier
containing the beta emitter, produces significant losses in
sections are matched by the manufacturer with the type of
sample counting rates. Liquid samples are evaporated to
detectortoproducesatisfactoryoperatingcharacteristicsandto
dryness in dishes that allow the sample to be counted directly
provide sufficient range in adjustments to maintain controlled
by the detector. Since the absorption of beta particles in the
conditions. The manufacturer shall provide resolving time
sample solids increases with increasing density and varies
information for the counting system. The scaler shall have
inversely with the maximum beta energy, plated solids shall
capacityforstoringandvisuallydisplayingatleast10 counts
remain constant between related test samples and should
and with a resolving time no greater than 250µ s for use with
duplicate the density of the solids of the plated standard.
Geiger Muller detectors or 5 µs for use with proportional
detectors. The instrument shall have an adjustable input sensi-
7.2 Most beta radiation counters are sensitive to alpha,
gamma, and X-ray radiations, with the degree of efficiency tivity matched and set by the manufacturer to that of the
dependent upon the type of detector. The effect of interfering detector, and a variable high-voltage power supply with indi-
radiations on the beta counting rate is more easily evaluated
cating meter.
withexternal-typecounterswhereappropriateabsorberscanbe
8.2 Sample Mounting—Sample mounting shall utilize
used to evaluate the effects of interfering radiation.
dishes having a flat bottom of a diameter no greater than that
of the detector window preferably having 3.2-mm high side
8. Apparatus
walls with the angle between dish bottom and side equal to or
8.1 Beta Particle Counter, consisting of the following com-
greater than 120° to reduce side-wall scattering (Note 4).
ponents:
Dishes shall be of a material that will not corrode under the
8.1.1 Detector—The end-window Geiger-Muller tube and
plating conditions and should be of uniform surface density
theinternalorexternalsamplegas-flowproportionalchambers
preferably great enough to reach backscatter saturation.
are the two most prevalent commercially available detector
types. The material used in the construction of the detector
NOTE 4—Sample dishes with vertical side walls may be used but the
should be free from detectable radioactivity. When detectors exactpositioningofthesedishesrelativetothedetectorisveryimportant.
This factor becomes critical for dishes having the same diameter as the
contain windows, the manufacturer shall supply the window
detector. Dishes having side walls more than 3.2 mm in height are not
density expressed in milligrams per square centimetre. To
recommended. Stainless steel has been found to be satisfactory for this
establish freedom from undesirable characteristics, the manu-
purpose.
facturer shall supply voltage plateau and background counting
8.3 Alpha Particle Absorber—Aluminum or plastic, having
ratedata.Voltageplateaudatashallshowthethresholdvoltage,
a uniform density such that total absorbing medium (air plus
slope, and length of plateau. Detectors requiring external
window plus absorber) between sample and sensitive volume
positioningofthetestsamplearemountedonatubesupportof
of detector is approxim
...
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