Rapid Radiochemical Methods for Selected Radionuclides

This compendium of PDF documents provides rapid radioanalytical methods for selected radionuclides applicable to the intermediate and recovery phases of a nuclear or radiological incident requiring integrated laboratory response. These methods were developed to expedite the analytical turnaround time while providing quantitative results that meet measurement quality objectives. The methods documents were designed to present radioanalytical laboratory personnel, Incident Commanders (and their designees), and other field response personnel with key laboratory operational considerations and likely radioanalytical requirements, decision paths, and default data quality and measurement quality objectives for samples taken after a radiological or nuclear incident, including incidents caused by a terrorist attack.

It should be noted that these methods were not developed for compliance monitoring of drinking water samples, and they should not be construed to have EPA approval for that or for any other regulatory program. 

• High Resolution Gamma-Ray Spectrometry Analyses For Normal Operations and Radiological Incident Response (pdf) (7.73 MB, October 2019, EPA 402-B-17-001)
  The document provides guidance to radiological laboratory personnel on the analysis of samples by gamma-ray spectrometry during routine laboratory operations and following a radiological or nuclear incident.
• Rapid Method for Sodium Hydroxide Fusion of Limestone Matrices Prior to Americium, Plutonium, Strontium, Radium, and Uranium Analyses for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents (pdf) (212.02 KB, August 2018, 402-R-18-002)
  The method is applicable to the sodium hydroxide (NaOH) fusion of limestone samples, prior to the chemical separation procedures. This is a general method for limestone samples collected following a radiological or nuclear incident. The limestone samples may be core samples, crushed samples, or in pieces of various sizes.
• Rapid Radiochemical Methods Applicable to Selected Radionuclides for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents (pdf) (80.84 KB, April 2014)
  Preface to the Third Edition: Water, Air Particulate Filters and Swipes, Soil, Building Materials, and Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) Material
• Rapid Method for Acid Digestion of Glass-Fiber and Organic/Polymeric Composition Filters and Swipes Prior to Isotopic Uranium, Plutonium, Americium, Strontium, and Radium Analyses for Environmental Remediation Following Homeland Security Events (pdf) (125.76 KB, October 2012, 402-R-12-009)
  The method is based on the complete dissolution of both the filter material and the deposited particulates.
• Rapid Radiochemical Method for Americium-241 in Water for Environmental Remediation Following Homeland Security Events (pdf) (231.56 KB, October 2011, 402-R-10-001a)
  The method is based on a sequence of two chromatographic extraction resins used to concentrate, isolate, and purify americium by removing interfering radionuclides as well as other components of the water matrix in order to prepare the americium fraction for counting by alpha spectrometry.
• Rapid Radiochemical Method for Plutonium-238 and Plutonium-239/240 in Water for Environmental Remediation Following Homeland Security Events (pdf) (209.05 KB, October 2011, 402-R-10-001b)
  This method is based on the sequential use of two chromatographic extraction resins to isolate and purify plutonium by removing interfering radionuclides as well as other components of the matrix in order to prepare the plutonium fraction for counting by alpha spectrometry.
• Rapid Radiochemical Method for Phosphorus-32 in Water for Environmental Remediation Following Homeland Security Events (pdf) (331.66 KB, November 2011, 600-R-11-181)
  The method will be applicable to water samples where radioactive contamination is either from known or unknown origins. The method is specific for Phosphorus-32 in drinking water and other aqueous samples. The method uses rapid radiochemical separation techniques for determining Phosphorus-32 in water samples following a radiological or nuclear incident.
• Rapid Radiochemical Method for Radium-226 in Water for Environmental Remediation Following Homeland Security Events (pdf) (434.68 KB, October 2011, 402-R-10-001c)
  A known quantity of 225Ra is used as the yield determinant in this analysis. Since the source of the suspected contamination may not be known, the sample is initially digested using concentrated nitric acid, followed by volume reduction and conversion to the chloride salt using concentrated hydrochloric acid.
• Rapid Radiochemical Method for Total Radiostrontium (Sr-90) In Water for Environmental Remediation Following Homeland Security Events (pdf) (437.08 KB, October 2011, 402-R-10-001d)
  Strontium is isolated from the matrix and purified from potentially interfering radionuclides and matrix constituents using a strontium-specific, rapid chemical separation method. The sample is equilibrated with strontium carrier, and concentrated by Sr/BaCO3 coprecipitation. If insoluble residues are noted during acid dissolution
• Rapid Radiochemical Method for Isotopic Uranium in Water for Environmental Remediation Following Homeland Security Events (pdf) (306.39 KB, October 2011, 402-R-10-001e)
  This method is based on the sequential elution of interfering radionuclides as well as other components of the matrix by extraction chromatography to isolate and purify uranium in order to prepare the uranium for counting by alpha spectrometry.
• Rapid Radiochemical Methods for Selected Radionuclides in Water for Environmental Restoration Following Homeland Security Events (pdf) (2.35 MB, February 2010, 402-R-10-001)
  This compendium provides rapid radioanalytical methods for selected radionuclides in an aqueous matrix. These new methods were developed to expedite the analytical turnaround time necessary to prioritize sample processing while providing quantitative results that meet measurement quality objectives applicable to the intermediate and recovery phases of a nuclear or radiological incident of national significance, such as the detonation of an IND or RDD.
• Rapid Method for Sodium Carbonate Fusion of Soil and Soil-Related Matrices Prior to Strontium-90 Analyses for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents (pdf) (173.43 KB, August 2012, 600-R-12-640)
  The method is based on the complete fusion of a representative, finely ground 1-g aliquant of dried sample with no insoluble residue remaining after dissolution of the fused melt in acid. For media composed of organic soil matrices, the sample is dry-ashed at 600 oC in an appropriate vessel prior to fusion.
• Rapid Method for Fusion of Soil and Soil-Related Matrices Prior to Americium, Plutonium, and Uranium Analyses for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents (pdf) (208.33 KB, August 2012, 600-R-12-636/7/8)
  The method is based on the complete fusion of a representative, finely ground 1-gram aliquant of dried sample with no insoluble residue remaining after dissolution of the fused melt in acid. For media composed of organic soil matrices, the sample is dry-ashed at 600 °C in an appropriate vessel prior to fusion.
• Rapid Method for Radium in Soil Incorporating the Fusion of Soil and Soil-Related Matrices with the Radioanalytical Counting Method for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents (pdf) (283.84 KB, August 2012, 600-R-12-635)
  The method is based on the complete fusion of a representative, finely ground 1-gram aliquant of dried sample with no insoluble residue remaining after dissolution of the fused melt in acid. For media composed of organic soil matrices, the sample is dry-ashed at 600 oC in an appropriate vessel prior to fusion.
• Rapid Method for Sodium Hydroxide/Sodium Peroxide Fusion of Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator Materials in Water and Air Filter Matrices Prior to Plutonium Analyses for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents (pdf) (231.55 KB, April 2014, 402-R14-003)
  The method is based on total dissolution of RTG materials in water or air filter samples. The air filter is fused using rapid sodium hydroxide/sodium peroxide at 700 °C. Water samples: refractory RTG particles are collected on a 0.45-μm filter using vacuum. RTG activity remaining in the aqueous filtrate is preconcentrated using calcium phosphate precipitation.
• Rapid Radiochemical Method for Americium-241 in Building Materials for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents (pdf) (213.32 KB, April 2014, 402-R-14-007)
  This method1 is based on the use of extraction chromatography resins (TEVA® + DGA® Resins) to isolate and purify americium by removing interfering radionuclides as well as other matrix components in order to prepare the americium fraction for counting by alpha spectrometry.
• Rapid Radiochemical Method for Plutonium-238 and Plutonium-239/240 in Building Materials for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents (pdf) (218.07 KB, April 2014, 402-R-14-006)
  This method is based on the use of TEVA® Resin (Aliquat 336 extractant-coated resin) to isolate and purify plutonium by removing interfering radionuclides as well as other components of the matrix in order to prepare the plutonium fraction for counting by alpha spectrometry. The method utilizes vacuum-assisted flow to improve the speed of the separations.
• Rapid Radiochemical Method for Radium-226 in Building Materials for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents (pdf) (369.15 KB, April 2014, 402-R-14-002)
  A known quantity of 225Ra is used as the yield tracer in this analysis. The sample is fused using procedure, Rapid Method for Sodium Hydroxide Fusion of Concrete and Brick Matrices Prior to Americium, Plutonium, Strontium, Radium, and Uranium Analyses (Reference 16.3), and then the radium isotopes are removed from the fusion matrix using a carbonate precipitation step.
• Rapid Radiochemical Method for Total Radiostrontium (Sr-90) In Building Materials for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents (pdf) (304.05 KB, April 2014, 402-R-14-001)
  This document (Revision 0), which is part of a larger compendium, provides rapid radioanalytical methods for selected radionuclides applicable to the intermediate and recovery phases of a nuclear or radiological incident requiring integrated laboratory response.
• Rapid Radiochemical Method for Isotopic Uranium in Building Materials for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents (pdf) (247.74 KB, April 2014, 402-R-14-005)
  This method is based on the use of extraction chromatography resins to isolate and purify uranium isotopes by removing interfering radionuclides as well as other components of the matrix in order to prepare the uranium fraction for counting by alpha spectrometry.
• Rapid Method for Sodium Hydroxide Fusion of Concrete and Brick Matrices Prior to Americium, Plutonium, Strontium, Radium, and Uranium Analyses for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents (pdf) (186.49 KB, April 2014, 402-R-14-004)
  The method is based on the rapid fusion of a representative, finely ground 1–1.5 g aliquant using rapid sodium hydroxide fusion at 600 °C. Pu, U, and Am are separated from the alkaline matrix using an iron/titanium hydroxide precipitation (enhanced with calcium phosphate precipitation) followed by a lanthanum fluoride matrix removal step.
• Validation of Rapid Radiochemical Method for Am-241 in Brick Samples for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents (pdf) (714.9 KB, September 2014, 402-R-14-008)
  This report provides a summary of the results of the method validation process for a combination of two methods; Rapid Method for Sodium Hydroxide Fusion of Concrete and Brick Matrices Prior to Americium, Plutonium, Strontium, Radium, and Uranium Analyses for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents and Rapid Radiochemical Method for Pu-238 and Pu-239/240 in Building Materials for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents.
• Validation of Rapid Radiochemical Method for Pu-238 and Pu-239/240 in Brick Samples for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents (pdf) (690.76 KB, September 2014, 204-R-14-009)
  This report provides a summary of the results of the method validation process for a combination of two methods; Rapid Method for Sodium Hydroxide Fusion of Concrete and Brick Matrices Prior to Americium, Plutonium, Strontium, Radium, and Uranium Analyses for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents and Rapid Radiochemical Method for Pu-238 and Pu-239/240 in Building Materials for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents.
• Validation of Rapid Radiochemical Method for Radium-226 in Brick Samples for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents (pdf) (840.82 KB, September 2014, 402-R-14-010)
  This report provides a summary of the results of the method validation process for a combination of two methods; Rapid Method for Sodium Hydroxide Fusion of Concrete and Brick Matrices Prior to Americium, Plutonium, Strontium, Radium, and Uranium Analyses for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents and Rapid Radiochemical Method for Ra-226 in Building Materials for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents.
• Validation of Rapid Radiochemical Method for Total Radiostrontium (Sr-90) in Brick Samples for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents (pdf) (799.75 KB, September 2014, 402-R-14-011)
  This report provides a summary of the results of the method validation process for two methods: Rapid Method for Sodium Hydroxide Fusion of Concrete and Brick Matrices Prior to Americium, Plutonium, Strontium, Radium, and Uranium Analyses for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents and Rapid Radiochemical Method for Total Radiostrontium (Sr-90) in Building Materials for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents.
• Validation of Rapid Radiochemical Method for Isotopic Uranium in Brick Samples for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents (pdf) (798.18 KB, September 2014, 402-R-14-012)
  This report provides a summary of the results of the method validation process for a combination of two methods; Rapid Method for Sodium Hydroxide Fusion of Concrete and Brick Matrices Prior to Americium, Plutonium, Strontium, Radium, and Uranium Analyses for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents and Rapid Radiochemical Method for Isotopic Uranium in Brick for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents.
• Asphalt Matrices Prior to Americium, Plutonium, Strontium, Radium, and Uranium Analyses (pdf) (413.99 KB, May 2017, EPA 402-R-16-001)
  The method is applicable to the sodium hydroxide (NaOH) fusion of asphalt samples, prior to the chemical separation procedures. This general method applies to asphalt samples collected following a radiological or nuclear incident.
• Rapid Method for Sodium Hydroxide Fusion of Asphalt Roofing Material Matrices Prior to Americium, Plutonium, Strontium, Radium, and Uranium Analyses (pdf) (327.69 KB, May 2017, EPA 402-R-16-003)
  The method is applicable to the sodium hydroxide (NaOH) fusion of asphalt roofing material samples, prior to the chemical separation procedures. This general method applies to asphalt roofing material samples collected following a radiological or nuclear incident.
• Rapid Radiochemical Method for Californium-252 in Water, Air Particulate Filters, Swipes, and Soils for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents (pdf) (4.91 MB, May 2017, EPA 402-S17-003)
  This method provides for the determination of californium-252 (252Cf) in water, air particulate filters, swipes and soil samples. The method uses americium-243 (243Am) tracer as the basis for quantification of 252Cf, and as a radiochemical yield monitor.
• Improved Rapid Radiochemical Method for Radium-226 in Building Materials for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents (pdf) (698.87 KB, May 2017, EPA 402-S17-002)
  This method uses improved rapid radiochemical separations techniques for the isotopic determination of 226Ra in building materials such as asphalt, shingles, limestone and granite following a nuclear or radiological incident. This method is a shorter, newer alternative to Rapid Radiochemical Method for Radium-226 in Brick and Concrete for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents.
• Rapid Radiochemical Method for Curium- 244 in Air Particulate Filters, Swipes and Soil for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents (pdf) (796.4 KB, May 2017, EPA 402-S17-004)
  This method provides for the rapid determination of curium-244 (244Cm) in air particulate filters, swipes and soil samples. The method uses americium-243 (243Am) tracer as the basis for quantification of 244Cm and as a yield monitor.
• Rapid Radiochemical Method for Curium-244 in Water Samples for Environmental Remediation Following Radiological Incidents (pdf) (681.37 KB, May 2017, EPA 402-S17-001)
  This method provides for the rapid determination of 244Cm in water samples. The method uses radiochemical separation techniques to rapidly isolate curium from a water matrix using 243Am tracer as a yield monitor.