radionuclides sampling procedures. the purpose of these slides is to demonstrate recommended...

Radionuclides SamplingRadionuclides Sampling ProceduresProcedures

The purpose of these slides is to demonstrate The purpose of these slides is to demonstrate recommended sampling techniques. This recommended sampling techniques. This presentation includes:presentation includes: supplies neededsupplies needed sample tap selectionsample tap selection collection; and collection; and shipping. shipping.

Sampling for RadionuclidesSampling for Radionuclides

We know and recognize that there are numerous We know and recognize that there are numerous techniques and methods for collecting drinking techniques and methods for collecting drinking water samples. The idea of this presentation is to water samples. The idea of this presentation is to demonstrate the general method used while demonstrate the general method used while providing some helpful suggestions for sample providing some helpful suggestions for sample collection, whether you are an owner, operator, or collection, whether you are an owner, operator, or trainee. This presentation is in no way to be trainee. This presentation is in no way to be considered a substitute for the federal Safe considered a substitute for the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and amendments.Drinking Water Act and amendments.

Sampling for RadionuclidesSampling for Radionuclides

What are Radionuclides and why do What are Radionuclides and why do

we sample for them?we sample for them?

Completely avoiding radioactivity is impossible. Radionuclides are found in air, water, soil, and even living things. People are exposed to background levels of radiation all the time. Sources of these exposures to radiation can come from building materials such as granite, airborne radon, and even low levels are found in food.

What are Radionuclides and why do we sample for them?What are Radionuclides and why do we sample for them?

Radionuclides generally enter drinking water through the erosion or chemical weathering of naturally occurring mineral deposits. Long-term exposure to radionuclides from drinking water results in the increased risk of cancer.


The radioactive particles (alpha, beta and The radioactive particles (alpha, beta and gamma particles) emitted by radionuclides gamma particles) emitted by radionuclides are called "ionizing radiation" because they are called "ionizing radiation" because they ionize ("destabilize") nearby atoms as they ionize ("destabilize") nearby atoms as they travel through a cell or other material. travel through a cell or other material.

In living tissue, this In living tissue, this ionization process can ionization process can damage chromosomes or damage chromosomes or other parts of the cell. This other parts of the cell. This cellular damage can lead to cellular damage can lead to the death of the cell or to the death of the cell or to unnatural reproduction of the unnatural reproduction of the cell. When a cell reproduces cell. When a cell reproduces uncontrollably, it becomes a uncontrollably, it becomes a cancer. cancer.


Why Sample for Radionuclides?Why Sample for Radionuclides?

The purpose of sampling for radionuclides is to The purpose of sampling for radionuclides is to reduce this exposure and to reduce the risk of reduce this exposure and to reduce the risk of cancer. cancer.

The EPA sampling requirement for radionuclides The EPA sampling requirement for radionuclides improves public health protection by reducing improves public health protection by reducing exposure to all radionuclides. exposure to all radionuclides.

Why Sample for Radionuclides?Why Sample for Radionuclides?

Since December 2003, The Since December 2003, The Radionuclide rule has Radionuclide rule has included the existing included the existing maximum contaminant maximum contaminant levels, or MCLs, for levels, or MCLs, for combined radium-226 and combined radium-226 and radium-228, gross alpha radium-228, gross alpha particle radioactivity, and particle radioactivity, and beta particle and photon beta particle and photon activity. The rule also activity. The rule also established a new MCL for established a new MCL for Uranium. It is important to Uranium. It is important to note that the radionuclide note that the radionuclide rule regulates community rule regulates community water systems only.water systems only.

State Guidelines – Rules – Sample State Guidelines – Rules – Sample

RequirementsRequirements

Be sure to check with Be sure to check with your state or tribal your state or tribal drinking water program drinking water program office for additional office for additional guidelines, rules and/or guidelines, rules and/or sample requirements sample requirements since they may be more since they may be more stringent than those stringent than those required by the federal required by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Safe Drinking Water Act.

Radionuclides Sampling SuppliesRadionuclides Sampling Supplies

Before you begin sampling, it is important to have Before you begin sampling, it is important to have all of your supplies on hand. Here is a list of the all of your supplies on hand. Here is a list of the

suggested supplies you may need:suggested supplies you may need:

Cooler for shipping and storage of your sampleCooler for shipping and storage of your samplewhile in transit between collection point and lab.while in transit between collection point and lab.


Bagged Ice for your shipping cooler. Bagged Ice for your shipping cooler.


Sample ContainerSample Container


Lab slips, labels, and markers for sample containerLab slips, labels, and markers for sample containeridentificationidentification


Paper towels for drying off the outside of Paper towels for drying off the outside of your sample container after sampling.your sample container after sampling.

Plastic storage baggies for ice andPlastic storage baggies for ice andsample containersample container

Additional Recommended Items are:Additional Recommended Items are:


Sample preparation instructionsSample preparation instructions

Containers used for Containers used for radionuclide radionuclide sampling are either a sampling are either a pre-cleaned 1-gallon pre-cleaned 1-gallon Nalgene plastic bottle Nalgene plastic bottle or two pre-cleaned 2 or two pre-cleaned 2 liter plastic bottles liter plastic bottles per sample. per sample. Preservatives are not Preservatives are not normally used for normally used for this sample this sample procedure.procedure.

As a general rule, As a general rule, proper washing of proper washing of hands is highly hands is highly recommended for recommended for the sample the sample collector.collector.


Also, food, drink, and even 2nd hand cigarette Also, food, drink, and even 2nd hand cigarette smoke should never come into contact with the smoke should never come into contact with the sample or its containers. These foreign objects sample or its containers. These foreign objects have been suspected of causing false results in have been suspected of causing false results in

samples, so be sure to practice good clean sample samples, so be sure to practice good clean sample collection procedures.collection procedures.


Do not sample with Do not sample with any containers that any containers that appear to have been appear to have been tampered with since tampered with since this may cause an this may cause an undesirable sample undesirable sample result.result.


Sampling ProceduresSampling Procedures

The laboratory that supplies the sampling containers The laboratory that supplies the sampling containers may provide instruction with the kit for the type of may provide instruction with the kit for the type of

monitoring being performed. Be sure to refer to those monitoring being performed. Be sure to refer to those instructions when provided.instructions when provided.

Select a state approved sampling location if Select a state approved sampling location if any have been designated. If not, select a any have been designated. If not, select a representative sampling location. For a surface representative sampling location. For a surface water system, the plant effluent tap might be an water system, the plant effluent tap might be an appropriate sampling location. For a well appropriate sampling location. For a well discharging directly into a distribution system discharging directly into a distribution system (entry point to the distribution system or (entry point to the distribution system or EPTDS), a tap on the well’s discharge piping EPTDS), a tap on the well’s discharge piping after any treatment would be appropriate. after any treatment would be appropriate.


If possible, use a non-swivel faucet and remove all If possible, use a non-swivel faucet and remove all attachments, including any aerators, strainers and hoses. attachments, including any aerators, strainers and hoses. It is normally recommended not to take a sample at that It is normally recommended not to take a sample at that location if all attachments cannot be removed because location if all attachments cannot be removed because

they may alter the sample results. they may alter the sample results.


Turn on the water tap Turn on the water tap and run the water for 2-and run the water for 2-3 minutes then reduce 3 minutes then reduce the flow so that the the flow so that the stream is stream is approximately ¼ inch approximately ¼ inch in diameter. in diameter. Do not Do not change the flow rate until change the flow rate until after sampling is after sampling is completed.completed.


While the water is running for thoseWhile the water is running for those

2-3 minutes, completely fill out the 2-3 minutes, completely fill out the

labels and lab slip. Be sure to clearly labels and lab slip. Be sure to clearly

identify the system information, like identify the system information, like

the public water system identification the public water system identification

number, number, exact exact sample location, date and time of collection, and the sampler’s name. sample location, date and time of collection, and the sampler’s name.

If the sample collection point has a specific coded identification, include it on the label and If the sample collection point has a specific coded identification, include it on the label and sample submission form. Be sure to attach the label prior to sampling. A wet sample sample submission form. Be sure to attach the label prior to sampling. A wet sample container may not allow the label to properly adhere. container may not allow the label to properly adhere.


Hold bottle at an angle and carefully fill it to its Hold bottle at an angle and carefully fill it to its shoulder. Do not touch the interior of the bottle shoulder. Do not touch the interior of the bottle

or the underside of the cap. Do not allow the or the underside of the cap. Do not allow the bottle to touch the faucet, or allow water to bottle to touch the faucet, or allow water to

splash up onto the faucet.splash up onto the faucet.


Screw the cap on the container.Screw the cap on the container.


Pack the samples in a cooler with ice if instructed to Pack the samples in a cooler with ice if instructed to do so. As a tip, it might be a good idea to bag up do so. As a tip, it might be a good idea to bag up the sample and the ice separately in the cooler. the sample and the ice separately in the cooler.

This will help prevent leakage or contamination of This will help prevent leakage or contamination of the sample from the ice.the sample from the ice.


Samples must be delivered to the analytical Samples must be delivered to the analytical laboratory within laboratory within 3 days3 days for proper testing for proper testing



Taping of the chest prior to shipping is also Taping of the chest prior to shipping is also recommended since the container could be recommended since the container could be mistakenly opened during shipment. mistakenly opened during shipment.

Also be sure to tape the sample forms Also be sure to tape the sample forms

and any other sample documentation either inside and any other sample documentation either inside or to the outside of the lid. or to the outside of the lid.

If the laboratory has any additional If the laboratory has any additional recommendations or requirements, recommendations or requirements, they should be read and followed they should be read and followed

closely.closely.


If you have any additional questions, please If you have any additional questions, please contact your state or tribal drinking water contact your state or tribal drinking water program office for assistance. program office for assistance.

Following the proper drinking water sample Following the proper drinking water sample collection procedures can lead to peace of mind, collection procedures can lead to peace of mind, knowing that the test results truly represent the knowing that the test results truly represent the quality of water your customers are drinking. After quality of water your customers are drinking. After all, isn’t our goal to ensure . . .all, isn’t our goal to ensure . . .


RadionuclidesRadionuclides Sampling Procedures Sampling Procedures

““Water Safe to Drink”Water Safe to Drink”

radionuclides sampling procedures. the purpose of these slides is to demonstrate recommended...

Documents

purpose of sampling

sample collection

drinking water results

drinking water samples

epa sampling requirement

community water systems

radionuclide rule

shipping cooler