Once again I am seeking participants for a radon-in-water intercomparison. No radioactive materials license is necessary. Participants are welcome to keep the reusable standard for their future use. There is no Ra-226 added to the water, as the source is sealed and of an exempt quantity.
I have attached a picture of the bottle that participants will receive. The participants will determine the radon content of the water using their method and send me the result. International laboratories are invited to participate. This exercise is meant to examine the participants ability to quantitatively transfer and measure radon in a water sample, as well as apply a proper decay correction.
If you are interested in participating in the intercomparison, please send me a message stating such, along with your contact information. Participants are needed to make this exercise a success. The Rn-222 concentration level is substantially different than in previous intercomparisons. In past intercomparisons the methods used include:
Liquid Scintillation
Electret
Alpha scintillation (Lucas) cell
Gamma spectroscopy
Continuous radon monitor
Polycarbonate etching
All results will remain confidential, and a summary will be provided to participants. I expect to mail the samples in mid-to-late April.
Michael Kitto, PhD
Nuclear Chemistry Laboratory
New York State Department of Health
P.O. Box 509, Wadsworth Center
Albany, New York 12201-0509
kitto@wadsworth.org (518) 486-1476 www.nyradon.org
United States