Report on "Guidelines for Sampling and Analysis for Dissolved Radon-222 in Ground Water and Surface Water"


In Reply Refer To:                         October 13, 1987 
WGS-Mail Stop 412



OFFICE OF WATER QUALITY TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM NO. 88.02

Subject: REPORTS--Report on "Guidelines for Sampling and 
                  Analysis for Dissolved Radon-222 in 
                  Ground Water and Surface Water"

The attached report, by L. DeWayne Cecil and Al Yang of the 
Pennsylvania District Office and Nuclear Hydrology Program 
respectively, describes several acceptable methods for 
collecting water samples for analysis of radon.  Recent 
concern with the harmful effects of breathing radon decay 
products, coupled with the high concentrations of radon found 
in some ground waters, may lead to increased cooperator 
interest in assessing the distribution of radon-saturated 
water supplies.

The analytical techniques referred to in this report are 
quite specific for radon, but potentially subject to 
interferences from other radionuclides.  Where other 
radionuclides are suspected, such as at radioactive-waste or 
uranium- or thorium-processing sites, advice should be sought 
regarding suitable analytical techniques.  The techniques 
described in this report should yield good results when used 
on most uncontaminated natural waters.  At present, the 
Bubbler Method is used by the contractor for the National 
Water-Quality Laboratory (NWQL).  In the near future, we 
expect to offer the Syringe Method (liquid scintillation) 
directly from the NWQL.  Both methods have recently 
(May 1987) been declared vadidated equivalent methods by the 
Environmental Protection Agency.

Please send any comments on this report to our Radiochemical 
Coordinator, Robert Schoen, MS 412, FTS 959-6871, 
RSCHOEN@QVARSA.


      
                                David A. Rickert

Attachment

This memorandum does not supersede any previous Office of 
Water Quality Memorandums.

Key Words: radon, radiochemistry, sampling, analytical 
techniques

Distribution: A, B, S, PO, FO