Gross Alpha
Gross Beta
Radium-226
Radium-228
Radon
Uranium
Strontium-90
Credentials
Sampling Instructions
Gross Alpha: hi-solids samples
For salt water, RO discharege, or other water samples with high dissolved solids, we recommend an alternative method for the measurement of gross alpha. Read about it here.
Credentials
KNL Laboratory Services is certified in the following states for Radiochemical Analyses:
- Alabama-Dept of Environmental Management, ADEM Certification #40580
- Delaware-Division of Public Health; Office of Drinking Water, Certification # FL84252
- Florida-(Primacy State) Radiochemical Certification: DOH # E84025
- Indiana-(Primacy State) USA EPA Region V Potable Water Certification (Chicago, Illinois)
- Kentucky-Dept. Environmental Protection, Division of Laboratory Services: Certification #90033
- Maryland-Dept. Health & Mental Hygiene, Laboratories Administration: Certification #283
- Michigan-(Primacy State) USA EPA Region V Potable Water Certification (Chicago, Illinois)
- New Hampshire-Dept. Environmental Services: Certification #2530
- Vermont-Dept of Environmental Conservation, Water Supply Division: Certification for the Analysis of Potable & Environmental Water
- West Virginia-Dept. Health & Human Services, Environmental Certification
- Wyoming-(Primacy State) USA EPA Region VIII Potable Water Certification (Denver, Colorado)
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Sampling Instructions
Radiochemical Sampling - Gross Alpha/Beta, Radium, Uranium, Strontium
- 1 liter per analyte required.
- Preservation: preserved with HNO3 (nitric acid) to pH < 2 within 5 days of collection. You have the option of preserving them yourselves, or have KNL preserve them at the laboratory.
- No ice or refrigeration is required. Shipping is best accomplished by UPS, FedEx, or other common carriers.
- EPA max Hold time: 6 months
- Turnaround time: Approximately 2 weeks from sample receipt. We offer automatic faxing (or e-mailing as an attachment) of completed reports upon request.
Radiochemical Sampling-Radon
- 2 airtight vials (same container as "VOC's) per sample required.
- Preservation: none. No ice or refrigeration required.
- Special considerations: Radon has a half-life of 3.8 days. Consequently, plan your sampling event for Monday thru Wednesdays only, then ship overnight to the laboratory.
- Turnaround time: Approximately 2-3 days from sample receipt. We offer automatic faxing (or e-mailing as an attachment) of completed reports upon request.
Gross Alpha: hi-solids samples
KNL Laboratory's routine procedure for measurement of Gross Alpha in water samples is EPA Method 900.0 (equivalent to Std. Methods method 7110B). Although this method is the "standard" for the measurement of Gross Alpha in all types of water, it has its limitations. More specifically, samples with high solids content experience severe alpha self-absorption, leading directly to high detection limits and high 95% confidence level calculations. The EPA Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility has developed an alternative method for Gross Alpha that addresses these limitations, permitting lower detection limits for high-solids samples. The method has full EPA approval (EERF: 00-02). The one drawback is cost- about double for analysis by this method. If you are interested in having your high-solids samples analyzed by this alternative method, please so indicate on analysis-request documentation. For more information, please call Jim Hayes at (813) 229-2879.