Validation of a method for measuring (226)Ra in drinking waters by LSC.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Radiochemistry

Background:

• Radium-226 ((226)Ra) is a naturally occurring radioactive isotope found in water sources.
• Accurate measurement of (226)Ra is crucial for assessing drinking water safety and compliance with regulations.
• Existing methods for (226)Ra detection can be complex or require specialized equipment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate a simple and effective method for measuring (226)Ra in drinking water.
• To provide detailed validation parameters for the proposed measurement technique.
• To assess the suitability of the method for large-scale water quality assessment.

Main Methods:

• The method relies on liquid scintillation counting (LSC) to measure radon-222 ((222)Rn).
• (222)Rn, which is in secular equilibrium with (226)Ra, is absorbed into a water-immiscible scintillation cocktail (Ultima Gold F) within the counting vial.
• Validation parameters, including the detection limit and upper range, were determined.

Main Results:

• The validated method covers a wide application range from 2·10(-3) Bq/kg to 150 Bq/kg.
• The method demonstrated reliability and effectiveness for (226)Ra quantification in drinking water.
• Validation parameters confirm the method's suitability for routine monitoring.

Conclusions:

• The developed LSC-based method offers a simple, reliable, and effective approach for measuring (226)Ra in drinking water.
• The technique is well-suited for broad application in water quality monitoring programs.
• The validated method provides accurate results within the specified range, ensuring public health protection.