AN EVALUATION OF THE INDUCTIVELY-COUPLED PLASMA-MASS SPECTROMETER FORTHE DETERMINATION OF RA-226 IN DRINKING-WATER

This report evaluates the use of ICP-MS for the determination of radiu m-226 in drinking water. Radium is concentrated from water samples usi ng cation exchange, followed by rapid ICP-MS detection. The entire pro cedure requires approximately 36 hours for a nominal set of eight samp les and gives average recoveries of 95 +/- 5%. The method detection li mit is one picogram per liter and the ICP-MS analysis time is less tha n three minutes. Results demonstrate that the ICP-MS is an alternative analytical tool for the determination of radium-226 in drinking water at concentrations required by the United States Environmental Protect ion Agency.