A review of the analytical methodology to determine Radium-226 and Radium-228 in drinking waters

Abstract Radium-228 ( 228 Ra) and Radium-226 ( 226 Ra) isotopes in drinking water are significant from the aspect of radiation protection and human health. In this paper, the three most common preconcentration methods, i.e.coprecipitation, absorption and evaporation, were reviewed with emphasis on routinely measurement techniques. The reviewed measurement techniques include low background γ -spectrometry, α -spectrometry and liquid scintillation counting. The γ -spectrometry technique is the good selection, when the maximum sensitivity is considered. The Environmental Protection Agency guideline has provided the maximum concentration level 0.74 Bq/L for 226 Ra and 228 Ra. Also, the World Health Organization guideline limit is 1 Bq/L and 0.1 Bq/L for 226 Ra and 228 Ra, respectively.