Measurement of Low‐Level Radioactivity in Water

Abstract

application of nuclear energy and its byproducts have focused increasing attention upon the public health problems connected with the pollution of water by radioactive material. Liquid wastes from the operation of nuclear reactors, wastes from the uses of radioisotopes, and fallout from the detonation of nuclear weapons already have added quantities of radioactivity measurable above the natural or background radioactivity in water. The USPHS is collaborating with the AEC and other agencies in delineating the problems and assisting in their solution. One of the responsibilities of the Robert A. Taft Sanitary Engineering Center is to investigate and develop methods for the measurement of radioactivity in water, sewage, and industrial wastes. The purpose of this article is to describe one reliable method.

Arkansas Radiological Background Survey

“…To detect increases in activity early, it is necessary to have a method of assay well below the MPC value. 13 The determination of gross alpha and beta activities below the MPC is useful in pollutional control and in establishing background information. For values that are near or above the MPC further analysis is required to evaluate the potential health hazard.…”

Nucleonics

“…Anderson and coworkers (27) summarize their measurements of the radioactivity of food and people. Setter and Goldin (1071) have measured low level radioactivity in water. Grummitt and coworkers (426) report recent developments in low background Geiger counters, while Volchok and Kulp (1221) have developed a low-level beta counter for routine radiochemical assay.…”

Radioactivity in Surface Water

“…For water samples treated as described earlier, the internal proportional counter is recommended (15). The sensitivity of this instrument is such that 50-70 per cent of either alpha or beta radiations are detected.…”