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MAPEP Program Review

MAPEP Program Review. Steve Bohrer Radiological and Environmental Sciences Laboratory ASP 2011 Workshop. Outline of Presentation. New I-129 program Discussion of commonly asked questions regarding MAPEP Questions?. Iodine-129.

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MAPEP Program Review

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  1. MAPEP Program Review Steve Bohrer Radiological and Environmental Sciences Laboratory ASP 2011 Workshop

  2. Outline of Presentation • New I-129 program • Discussion of commonly asked questions regarding MAPEP • Questions?

  3. Iodine-129 • MAPEP will be providing I-129 PT samples to help improve the quality of I-129 measurements • I-129 is a nuclide of significant regulatory interest for DOE • Labs are currently not receiving I-129 from PT programs • Analytical data quality on site-specific blind PT samples has been poor • Cleanup decisions depend on accurate data

  4. Why Iodine-129? • Thermal fission product of U-235 and Pu-239 • Half-life is 15.7 x 106 years (longest of fission products) • Essentially a permanent radiological contaminant • Highly mobile in groundwater systems • Iodine concentrates in the thyroid • EPA drinking water MCL is 4 mrem/yr for all betas - 3 pCi/L if only I-129

  5. Analysis of I-129 • Detection and measurement of I-129 can be problematic • Low specific activity • 100% beta with Emax 150 keV and Eavg 48.9 keV • 39.6 keV gamma ray with 7.5% intensity • Erroneous results may come from: • No tracer or assumed recovery • Inaccurate background subtraction • Self-absorption of signal • Chemical or spectral interferences • Column limitations

  6. MAPEP-11-XaW25 • Separate 1-L alkaline water sample labeled MAPEP-11-XaW25 • MAPEP-11-XaW25 contains only I-129 as targeted radionuclide • Additional radiological analytes may be added to the alkaline sample in the future • If you did not opt out, you will receive a MAPEP-11-XaW25 sample

  7. Site-specific I-129 PT Results

  8. Double-Blind I-129 PT Results for One Year 4.6 Sigma 3.2 Sigma

  9. Double-blind PT Results From the QSAS - Laboratory Control Sample (LCS) a) Purpose: The LCS is used to evaluate the performance of the total analytical system, including all preparation and analysis steps. Results of the LCS are compared to established criteria and, if found to be outside of these criteria, indicates that the analytical system is “out-of-control”. Any affected samples associated with an out-of-control LCS shall be reprocessed for reanalysis or the results reported with appropriate data qualifying codes.

  10. MAPEP I-129 • Provides DOE oversight of a critical area of analysis • Provides labs with external real-world standard to evaluate and improve procedures • Going forward will provide DOE with objective data on laboratory capability for awarding contracts

  11. Common MAPEP Questions • Can I subdivide the MAPEP vegetation samples? • Why did we receive a “N” for not reporting results for certain nuclides?

  12. Reporting Results • Example 1 • “N” for unreported gamma-emitting nuclides • If a lab has the capability to identify and report any particular gamma-emitting nuclide, it has the ability to identify and report all of the targeted gamma-emitting MAPEP nuclides • One may be a special test (false positive, sensitivity evaluation)

  13. Reporting Results • Example 2 • “N” for not reporting corresponding isotopes • Pu-238 and Pu-239 • If a laboratory has the capability to report results for one of these nuclides, it should report the results of BOTH

  14. Reporting Results • Example 3 • “N” for not reporting nuclides that have previously been reported • A lab fails to report Am-241 in soil, but reports in other matrices and has reported in soil in previous sessions • A lab fails to report Pu after receiving “N” for the previous 2 sessions

  15. Reporting Results • MAPEP’s mission is to provide DOE oversight with the best data on laboratory performance • If labs do not report, DOE has no mechanism to evaluate capability • Labs may try to hide known performance issues by not reporting • If labs establish a track record of “A” performance on MAPEP they may be able to bring in additional work

  16. When in Doubt… • Refer to the MAPEP Series instructions for the most current list of targeted nuclides • Report the result and uncertainty for all targeted nuclides • Double-check data entry • Double-check units • Report well before the deadline • Print a copy and double-check (again)

  17. MAPEP Contact Information • Guy Marlette, MAPEP coordinator • (208) 526-2532 • marletgm@id.doe.gov • Publicly accessible site • http://www.inl.gov/resl/mapep/

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