Preparation of an interlaboratory comparison at IRMM : Gross alpha/beta analysis in drinking waters

Abstract

Our paper focuses on the preparation of the next interlaboratory comparison (ILC) on gross alpha/beta activity measurements in drinking waters. Several water samples were subjected to radionuclide-specific analysis, where after the chemical separation procedure uranium isotopes, 226Ra and 210Po activity concentrations were measured with alpha-particle spectrometry. Simultaneously with the radionuclide-specific analysis, gross alpha/beta measurement was performed. The final selection of the samples to be used in the ILC is based on the alpha-emitting radionuclide activity concentration and their mineralization. As far as the mineralization is concerned, the materials are in the same range as the majority of the tap waters. One water sample was selected from the low mineral content class and another from the intermediate mineral content class. The water selection strategy and the reference measurement techniques will be detailed in this work. Some background information is presented about the previous ILCs organized by IRMM.