20/30406511 DC

This standard 20/30406511 DC BS EN ISO 13163. Water quality. Lead-210. Test method using liquid scintillation counting is classified in these ICS categories:

• 17.240 Radiation measurements
• 13.060.60 Examination of physical properties of water

This document specifies a method for the measurement of ²¹⁰Pb in all types of waters by liquid scintillation counting (LSC).

The method is applicable to test samples of supply/drinking water, rainwater, surface and ground water, as well as cooling water, industrial water, domestic, and industrial wastewater after proper sampling and handling, and test sample preparation. A filtration of the test sample is necessary.

Using currently available liquid scintillation counters, this test method can measure the ²¹⁰Pb activity concentrations in the range of less than 2 mBq⋅l^-1 to 300 mBq⋅l^{-1 [8][9]}). These values can be achieved with a counting time between 180 min and 720 min for a sample volume from 0,5 l to 1,5 l. Higher activity concentrations can be measured by either diluting the sample or using smaller sample aliquots or both. The method presented in this document is not intended for the determination of ultra-trace amount of ²¹⁰Pb.

The range of application depends on the amount of dissolved material in the water and on the performance characteristics of the measurement equipment (background count rate and counting efficiency).

The method described in this document is applicable in the event of an emergency situation.

The analysis of Pb adsorbed to suspended matter is not covered by this method.

It is the user’s responsibility to ensure the validity of this test method for the water samples tested.