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{{#Wiki_filter:}} | {{#Wiki_filter:APPENDIX G Teledyne Brown Engineering Environmental Services Annual 2015 Quality Assurance Report | ||
..-,~TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING 1 A Teledyne Technologies Company TELEDYNE* BROWN ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Knoxville Laboratory Annual2015 QUALITY ASSURANCE REPORT January- December 2015 Teledyne Brown Engineering 2508 Quality Lane Knoxville, TN 37931-3133 | |||
Annual 2015 Quality Assurance Report Review and Signature Quality Assurance Manager: | |||
Contractual Review Laboratory Operations Manager: | |||
Technical Review Keith 0 * .Jete | |||
Teledyne Brown Engineering Laboratory - Environmental Services {TBE-ES) | |||
OPEBATIONAL QUALITY CONTROL SCOPE Inter-laboratory The TBE-ES Laboratory QC Program is designed to monitor the quality of analytical processing associated with environmental, effluent (10CFR Part 50), and waste characterization {10CFR Part | |||
: 61) sarpples. | |||
Quality Control of environmental radioanalyses involves the internal process control program and independent third party programs administered by Analytics, Inc and Environmental Resource Associates (ERA). | |||
TBE-ES participates in the Quality Assessment Program (QAP) administered by the Department of Energy (DOE) Mixed Analyte Performance Evaluation Program (MAPEP). The MAPEP is a set of performance evaluation samples (e.g. water, soil, air filters, etc.) designed to evaluate the ability and quality of analytical facilities performing sample measurements which contain hazardous and radioactive (mixed) analytes. | |||
Quality Control for radioanalyses during this reporting period was divided among internal process check samples, third party process checks prepared by Analytics, Inc. {which was submitted by users or secured directly by TBE-ES for QC purposes), ERA, and DOE's MAPEP. | |||
Intra-laboratory The internal Quality Control program is designed to include QC functions such as instrumentation checks (to ensure proper instrument response), blank samples (to which no analyte radioactivity has been added), instrumentation backgrounds, duplicates, as well as overall staff qualification analyses and process controls. Both process control and qualification analyses sam pies seek to mimic the media type of those sample~ submitted for analyses by the various laboratory clients. | |||
These process controls (or process checks) are either actual samples submitted in duplicate in order to evaluate the accuracy of laboratory measurements, or blank samples which have been "spiked" with a known quantity of a radioisotope that is of interest to laboratory clients. These QC samples, which represent either "single" or "double-blind" unknowns, are intended to evaluate the entire radiochemical and radiometric process. | |||
To provide direction and consistency in administering the quality assurance program, TBE-ES has developed and follows an annual quality control and audit assessment schedule. The plan describes the scheduled frequency and scope of Quality Assurance and Control considered necessary for an adequate QNQC program conducted throughout the year. The magnitude of the process control program combines both internal and external sources targeted at 5% of the routine sample analysis load. | |||
QA Program (Internal and External Audits) | |||
During each reporting period at least one internal assessment is conducted in accordance with the pre-established TBE-ES Quality Control and Audit Assessment Schedule. In addition, the laboratory may be audited by prospective customers during a pre-contract audit, and/or by existing clients who wish to conduct periodic audits in accordance with their contractual arrangements. The Nuclear Utilities Procurement Issues Committee (NUPIC) conducts audits of TBE-ES as a function of a Utilities Radiological Environment Measurement Program (REMP). | |||
TBE-ES Laboratory-Knoxville has successfully completed the Energy Solutions (NIAC audit), | |||
State of Tennessee, Nuclear Utility Procurement Issues Committee (NUPIC), New York State and Department of Health's Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (NELAP) audits. These | |||
audits were each a comprehensive review of TBE-ES's .Quality and Technical programs used to assess the laboratory's ability to produce accurate and defensible data. No significant deficiencies, which would adversely impact data quality, were identified during any of these audits. Administrative findings identified during these inspections are usually addressed promptly, according to client specifications. | |||
Analytical Services Quality Control Synopsis RESULTS | |||
==SUMMARY== | |||
Environmental Services Quality Control During this annual reporting period, twenty-three nuclides associated with six media types were analyzed by means of the laboratory's internal process control, Analytics, ERA and DOE quality control programs. Media types representative of client company analyses performed during this reporting period were selected. The results for these programs are presented in the following summary tables. Below is a synopsis of the media types evaluated: | |||
* Air Filter | |||
* Charcoal (Air Iodine) | |||
* Milk | |||
* Soil | |||
* Vegetation | |||
* Water Analytics Environmental Cross-Check Program Twelve nuclides were evaluated during this reporting period. lron-55 in water was added to the Analytics program and removed from the DOE MAPEP program in 2010 due to the low level of Fe-55 activity in the MAPEP samples. All but one of the environmental analyses performed were within the acceptable criteria. | |||
Summary of Participation in the Department of Energy (DOE) Monitoring Program TBE-ES participated in the semi annual Mixed Analyte Performance Evaluation Program (MAPEP) for liquid, air particulate, soil, and vegetation analyses (MAPEP-Series 30 and 31 ). | |||
During this reporting period, 16 nuclides were evaluated. All but five of the environmental analyses performed were within the acceptable criteria. | |||
The Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP March 2015 Sr-90 in soil and AP results were evaluated as failing on the low side. The soil was incompletely digested and this resulted in low results. The U-234-233 low result was difficult to quantify. The Gr-A filter has the activity embedded in the filter. To correct the low bias, TBE will create an attenuated efficiency for MAPEP samples. | |||
The Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP 2015 September water sample for Nl-63 had extremely low activity and was difficult to quantify. The Sr-90 for AP and vegetation was lost during separation, possibly from substance added by MAPEP. | |||
Summary of participation in the ERA Program During this reporting period, 12 nuclides were analyzed under ERA criteria. Gross alpha in an air particulate by digestion method was added to the ERA program in May 2010. All except three of the environmental analytical results were acceptable. | |||
2 | |||
Teledyne Brown Engineering's ERA 2015 Sr-89 and Sr-90 in water had a yield on the high side of our acceptance range which indicates the possibility of calcium interference. . | |||
Teledyne Brown Engineering's ERA 2015 U-Nat in water was not diluted by the technician. If diluted, the result would have been 57.1, which fell within the acceptance limits. | |||
Intra-Laboratory Pro,cess Control Program The TBE-ES Laboratory's internal process control program evaluated 5433 individual samples. | |||
Spikes/Matrix Spikes All of the 1548 environmental spikes were analyzed with statistically appropriate activity reported for each spike. | |||
Analytical Blanks During this reporting period, all of the 1491 environmental analytical blanks analyzed reported less than MDC. | |||
Duplicates Total All of the 2900 duplicate sets analyzed were within acceptable limits. | |||
NON-CONFORMANCE REPORTS There were 10 non-conformance reports issued for this reporting period. For the TBE laboratory, 129 out of 139 analyses performed met the specified acceptance criteria. Ten analyses (AP - Cr-51, U-234/233, Gr A, Sr-90; Soil Sr-90; Water - Ni-63, Sr-89/90, U natural; Vegetation Sr-90 samples) did not meet the specified acceptance criteria for the following reasons and were addressed through the TBE Corrective Action Program: | |||
Note: The Department of Energy (DOE) Mixed Analyte Performance Evaluation Program (MAPEP) samples are created to mimic conditions found at DOE sites which do not resemble typical environmental samples obtained at eommercial nuclear power facilities. | |||
: 1. Teledyne Brown Engineering's Analytics' June 2015 air particulate Cr-51 result of 323 +/- | |||
45.5 pCi was higher than the known value of 233 pCi with a ratio of 1.39. The upper ratio of 1.30 (acceptable with warning) was exceeded. The air particulate sample is counted at a distance above the surface of the detector to avoid detector summing which could alter the results. Chromium-51 has the shortest half-life (27.7 days) and the lowest gamma energy (320.08 keV) of this mixed nuclide sample. Additionally, Cr-51 has only one gamma energy and also has a low intensity (9.38 gamma photons produced per 100 disintegrations). This geometry produces a larger error for the Cr-51 and other gamma emitters as any distance from the detector decreases the counting rate and the probability of accurately detecting the nuclide energy. Taking into consideration the uncertainty, the activity of cr.:51 overlaps with the known value at a ratio of 1.19, which would statistically be considered acceptable. NCR 15-18 | |||
: 2. | |||
* Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP March 2015 soil Sr-90 result of 286 Total Bq/kg was lower than the known value of 653 Bq/kg, exceeding the lower acceptance range of 487 Bq/kg. The failure was due to incomplete digestion of the sample. Incomplete digestion of samples causes some of the sample to be left behind and is not present in the digested sample utilized for analysis. The procedure has qeen updated to include a more robust digestion using stirring during the heating phase. The MAPEP September I | |||
3 | |||
2014 soil Sr-90 series prior to this study was evaluated as acceptable with a result of 694 and an acceptance range of 601 - 1115 Bq/kg. The MAPEP September 2015 series soil Sr-90 after this study was evaluated as acceptable with a result of 429 and an acceptance range of 298 - 553 Bq/kg. -We feel the issue is specific to the March 2015 MAPEP sample. NCR 15-13 | |||
: 3. Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP March 2015 air particulate U-234/233 result of 0.0211 +/- 0.0120 Bq/sample was higher than the known value of 0.0155 Bq/sample, exceeding the upper acceptance range of 0.0202 Bq/sample. Although evaluated as a failure, taking into consideration the uncertainty, TBE's result would overlap with the known value, which is statistically considered acceptable. MAPEP spiked the sample with significantly more U-238 activity (a found to known ratio of 0.96) th<ii_n the normal U-234/233. Due to the extremely low activity, it was difficult to quantify the U-234/233. | |||
NCR 15-13 | |||
: 4. Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP March 2015 air particulate gross alpha result of 0.448 Sq/sample was lower than the known value of 1.77 Bq/sample, exceeding the lower acceptance range of 0.53 Bq/sample. The instrument efficiency used for gross alpha is determined using a non-attenuated alpha~standard. The MAPEP filter has the alphas embedded in the filter, requiring an attenuated efficiency. When samples contain alpha particles that are embedded in the sample media, due to the size of the alpha particle, some of the alpha particles are absorbed by the media and cannot escape to be counted. When the sample media absorbs the alpha particles this is known as self-absorption or attenuation. The calibration must include a similar configuration/media to correct for the attenuation. In order to correct the low bias, TBE will create an attenuated efficiency for MAPEP air particulate filters. The MAPEP September series air particulate gross alpha result of 0.47 Bq/sample was evaluated as acceptable with a range of 0.24 - | |||
1.53 Sq/sample. Unlike the MAPEP samples, air particulate Gross alpha analyses for power plants are not evaluated as a direct count sample. Power plant air particulate filters for gross alpha go through an acid digestion process prior to counting and the digested material is analyzed. NCR 15-13 | |||
: 5. Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP September water Ni-63 result of 11.8 +/- 10.8 Bq/l was higher than the known value of 8.55 Bq/l, exceeding the upper acceptance range of 11.12 Bq/L. The Ni-63 half-life is approximately 100 years. Nickel-63 is corsidered to be a "soft" or low energy beta emitter, which means that the beta energy is very low. The maximum beta energy for Ni-63 is approximately 65 keV, much lower than other more common nuclides such as Co-60 (maximum beta energy of 1549 keV). The original sample was run with a 10 ml aliquot which was not sufficient for the low level of Ni-63 in the sample. The rerun aliquot of 30 ml produced an acceptable result of 8.81 Bq/L. | |||
NCR 15-21 | |||
: 6. Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP September air particulate Sr-90 result of 1.48 Bq/sample was lower than the known value of 2.18 Bq/sample, exceeding the lower acceptance range of 1.53 Bq/sample. In the past, MAPEP has added substances (unusual compounds found in DOE complexes) to various matrices that have resulted in incomplete removal of the isotope of interest for the laboratories analyzing the cross checks. TBE suspects that this may be the cause of this error. Many compounds, if not properly accounted for or removed in the sample matrix, can cause interferences to either indicate lower activity or higher activity. TBE will no longer analyze the air particulate Sr-90 through MAPEP but will participate in the Analytics cross check program to perform both Sr-89 and Sr-90 in the air particulate matrix. NCR 15-21 | |||
: 7. Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP September vegetation Sr-90 result of 0.386 Bq/sample was lower than the known value of 1.30 Bq/sample, exceeding the lower acceptance range of 0.91 Bq/sample. In the past, MAPEP has added substances 4 | |||
(unusual compounds found in DOE complexes) to various matrices that have resulted in incomplete removal of the isotope of interest for the laboratories analyzing the cross checks. TBE suspects that this maybe the cause of this error. Many compounc;!ls, if not properly accounted for or removed in the sample matrix, can cause interferences to either indicate lower activity or higher activity. Results from previous performance evaluations were reviewed and shown to be acceptable. NCR 15-21 | |||
: 8. & 9.Teledyne Brown Engineering's ERA May water Sr-89/90 results of 45.2 and 28.0 pCi/l, respectively were low~r than the known values of 63.2 and 41.9 pCi/l, respectively, exceeding the lower acceptance limits of 51.1 and 30.8 pCi/l, respectively. The yields were on the high side of the TBE acceptance range, which indicates the present of excess calcium contributed to the yielcj, resulting in low results. NCR 15-09 | |||
: 10. Teledyne Brown Engineering's ERA November water Uranium natural result of 146.9 pCi/l was higher than the known value of 56.2 pCi/l, exceeding the upper acceptance limit of 62.4 pCi/L. The technician failed to dilute the original sample, but used the entire 12 ml sample. When the results were recalculated without the dilution and using the 12 ml aliquot, the result of 57.16 agreed with the assigned value of 56.2. NCR 15-19 5 | |||
ANALYTICS ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY CROSS CHECK PROGRAM TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (PAGE 1OF3) | |||
Identification Reported Known Ratio (c) | |||
Month/Year Number Matrix Nuclide Units Value(a) Value(b) TBE/Analytics Evaluation (d) | |||
March 2015 E11181 Milk Sr-89 pCi/L 88.9 97.2 0.91 A Sr-90 pCi/L 12.2 17.4 0.70 w E11182 Milk 1-131 pCi/L 61.3 65.1 0.94 A Ce-141 pCi/L 104 113 0.92 A Cr-51 pCi/L 265 276 0.96 A Cs-134 pCi/L 138 154 0.90 A Cs-137 pCi/L 205 207 0.99 A Co-58 pCi/L I 178 183 0.97 A Mn-54 pCi/L 187 188 0.99 A Fe-59 pCi/L 182 177 1.03 A Zn-65 pCi/L 345 351 0.98 A Co-60 pCi/L 379 405 0.94 A E11184 AP Ce-141 pCi 107 85.0 1.26 w Cr-51 pCi 261 224 1.17 A Cs-134 pCi 74.6 77.0 0.97 A Cs-137 pCi 99.6 102 0.98 A Co-58 pCi 99.8 110 0.91 A Mn-54 pCi 99.2 96.9 1.02 A Fe-59 pCi 109 119 0.92 A Zn-65 pCi 188 183 1.03 A Co-60 pCi 200 201 1.00 A E11183 Charcoal 1-131 pCi 82.9 85.4 0.97 A E11185 Water Fe-55 pCi/L 1950 . 1900 1.03 A June 2015 E11234 Milk Sr-89 pCi/L 94.9 92.6 1.02 A Sr-90 pCi/L 14.3 12.7 1.13 A E11238 Milk 1-131 pCi/L 93.2 95.9 0.97 A Ce-141 pCi/L Not provided for this study Cr-51 pCi/L 349 276 1.26 w Cs-134 pCi/L 165 163 1.01 A Cs-137 pCi/L 143.0 125 1.14 A Co-58 pCi/L 82.0 68.4 1.20 A Mn-54 pCi/L 113 101 1.12 A Fe-59 pCi/L 184 151 1.22 w Zn-65 pCi/L 269 248 1.08 A Co-60 pCi/L 208 193 1.08 A E11237 \., | |||
AP Ce-141 pCi Not provided for this study Cr-51 pCi 323 233 1.39 N (1) | |||
Cs-134 pCi 139 138 1.01 A Cs-137 pCi 111 106 1.05 A Co-58 pCi 54.0 57.8 0.93 A Mn-54 pCi 96.8 84.9 1.14 A Fe-59 pCi 162 128 1.27 w Zn-65 pCi 198 210 0.94 ' A Co-60 pCi 178 163 1.09 A E11236 Charcoal 1-131 pCi 93.9 80 1.17 A | |||
ANALYTICS ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY CROSS CHECK PROGRAM TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (PAGE 20F 3) | |||
Identification Reported Known Ratio (c) | |||
Month/Year Number Matrix Nuclide Units Value(a) Value(b) TBE/Analyiics Evaluation (d) | |||
June 2015 E11238 Water Fe-55 pCi/L 1890 1790 1.06 A September2015 E11289 Milk Sr-89 pCi/L 95.7 99.1 0.97 A Sr-90 pCi/L 15.4 16.4 0.94 A E11290 Milk 1-131 pCi/L 94.9 99.9 0.95 A Ce-141 pCi/L 228 213 1.07 A Cr-51 pCi/L 499 538 0.93 A Cs-134 pCi/L 208 212 0.98 A Cs-137 pCi/L 270 I 255 1.06 A Co-58 pCi/L 275 263 1.05 A Mn-54 pCi/L 320 290 1.10 A Fe-59 pCi/L 255 226 1.13 A Zn-65 pCi/L 392 353 1.11 A Co-60 pCi/L 350 330 1.06 A E11292 AP Ce-141 pCi 104 85.1 1.22 w Cr-51 pCi 262 215 1.22 w Cs-134 pCi 86.1 84.6 1.02 A Cs-137 pCi 93.0 102 0.91 A Co.58 pCi 106 105 1.01 A Mn-54 pCi 117 116 1.01 A Fe-59 pCi 94.8 90.2 1.05 A Zn-65 pCi 160 141 1.13 A Co-60 pCi 146 132 1.11 A E11291 Charcoal 1-131 . pCi 85.9 81.7 1.05 A E11293 Water Fe-55 pCi/L 2090 1800 1.16 A E11294 Soil Ce-141 pCi/kg 209 222 0.94 A Cr-51 pCi/kg 463 560 0.83 A Cs-134 pCi/kg 231 221 1.05 A cs.137 pCi/kg 311 344 0.90 A Co-58 pCi/kg 245 274 0.89 A Mn-54 pCi/kg 297 302 0.98 A Fe-59 pCi/kg 248 235 1.06 A Zn-65 pCi/kg 347 368 0.94 A Co-60 pCi/kg 328 344 0.95 A December 2015 E11354 Milk Sr-89 pCi/L 96.2 86.8 1.11 A Sr-90 pCi/L 14.8 12.5 1.18 A E1135S- Milk 1-131 pCi/L 95.1 91.2 1.04 A Ce-141 pCi/L 117 129 0.91 A Cr-51 pCi/L 265 281 0.94 A Cs-134 pCi/L 153 160 0.96 A Cs-137 pCi/L 119 115 1.03 A Co-58 pCi/L 107 110 0.97 A Mn.54 pCVL 153 145 1.06 A Fe-59 pCi/L 117 108 1.08 A Zn-65 pCi/L 261 248 1.05 A Co-60 pCi/L 212 213 1.00 A | |||
'\ | |||
ANALYTICS ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY CROSS CHECK PROGRAM TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (PAGE 30F 3) | |||
Identification Reported Known Ratio(c) | |||
MonthNear Number Matrix Nuclide Units Value(a) Value (b) TBE/Anal;aics Evaluation (d) | |||
December 2015 E11357 AP Ce-141 pCi 89.9 84.0 1.07 A Cr-51 pCi 215 184 1.17 A Cs-134 pCi 103 105 0.98 A Cs-137 pCi 76.6 74.8 1.02 A Co-58 pCi 76.2 71.9, 1.06 A Mn-54 pCi 91.4 94.4 0.97 A Fe-59 pCi 78.6 70.3 1.12 A Zn-65 pCi 173 162 1.07 A Co-60 ; pCi 138 139 0.99 A E11422 AP Sr-89 pCi 98.0 96.9 1.01 A Sr-90 pCi 10.0 14.0 0.71 )w E11356 Charcoal 1-131 pCi 74.9 75.2 1.00 *A E11358 Water Fe-55 pCi/L 2160 1710 1.26 w E11353 Soil Ce-141 pCi/kg 252 222 1.14 A Cr-51 pCi/kg 485 485 1.00 A Cs-134 pCi/kg 319 277 1.15 A Cs-137 pCi/kg 292 276 1.06 A Co-58 pCi/kg 193 190 1.02 A Mn-54 pCi/kg 258 250 1.03 A Fe-59 pCi/kg 218 186 1.17 A Zn-65 pCi/kg 457 429 1.07 A Co-60 pCi/kg 381 368 1.04 A (1) AP Cr Cr-51 has.the shortest half-life and the weakest gamma energy of the mixed nuclide sample, which produces a large error. Taking into account the error, the lowest value would be 119% of the reference value, which would be considered acceptable. NCR 15-18 (a) Teledyne Brown Engineering reported result. | |||
(b) The Analytics known value is equal to 100% of the parameter present in the standard as determined by gravimetric and/or | |||
\ | |||
volumetric measurements made during standard preparation. | |||
(c) Ratio of Teledyne Brown Engineering to Analytics results. | |||
(d) Analytics evaluation based on TBE internal QC limits: A= Acceptable, reported result falls within ratio limits of 0. 80-1.20. | |||
W-Acceptable with warning, reported result falls within 0. 70-0.80 or 1.20-1.30. N =Not Acceptable, reported result falls outside the ratio limits of< o. 70 and> 1.30. | |||
DOE's MIXED ANALYTE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION PROGRAM (MAPEP) | |||
TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (PAGE 1OF1) | |||
Identification Reported Known Acceptance Month/Year Number Media Nuclide* Units Value (a) Value (bl Range Evaluation (c) | |||
March 2015 15-MaW32 Water Am-241 Sq/L 0.632 0.654 0.458 - 0.850 A | |||
, Ni-63 Sq/L 2.5 (1) A 1 Pu-238 Sq/L 0.0204 0.0089 (2) A Pu-239/240 Sq/L 0.9 0.8 0.582 - 1.082 A 15-MaS32 Soil Ni-63 Sq/kg 392 448.0 314- 582 A Sr-90 Sq/kg 286 653 ' 487-849 N (3) 15-RdF32 AP Sr-90 Sq/sample -0.0991 (1) A U-234/233 Sq/sample 0.0211. 0.0155 0.0109 - 0.0202 N (3) | |||
U-238 Sq/sample 0.095 0.099 0.069 - 0.129 A' 15-GrF32 AP Gr-A Sq/sample 0.448 1.77 0.53-3.01 N (3) | |||
Gr-S Sq/sample 0.7580 0.75 0.38-1.13 A 15-RdV32 Vegetation Cs-134 Sq/sample 8.08 7.32 5.12- 9.52 A Cs-137 Sq/sample 11.6 9.18 6.43-11.93 w Co-57 Sq/sample -0.0096 (1) A Co-60 Sq/sample 6.53 5.55 3.89- 7.22 A Mn-54 Sq/sample 0.0058 (1) A Sr-90 Sq/sample 0.999 1.08 0.76 - 1.40 A Zn-65 Sq/sample -0.108 (1) A September 2015 15-MaW33 Water Am-241 Sq/L 1.012 1.055 0. 739 - 1.372 A Ni-63 Sq/L 11.8 8.55 5.99-11.12 N (4) | |||
Pu-238 Sq/L 0.727. 0.681 0.477 - 0.885 A Pu-239/240 Sq/L 0.830 0.900 0.630-1.170 A 15-MaS33 Soil Ni-63 Sq/kg 635 682 477-887 A Sr-90 Sq/kg 429 425 298 - 553 A 15-RdF33 AP Sr-90 Sq/sample 1.48 2.18 1.53-2.83 N (4) | |||
U-234/233 Sq/sample 0.143 0.143 0.100-0.186 A U-238 ,Sq/sample 0.149 0.148 0.104-0.192 A 15-GrF33 AP Gr-A Sq/sample 0.497 0.90 0.27-1.53 A Gr-S Sq/sample 1.34 1.56 0.78-2.34 A 15-RdV33 Vegetation Cs-134 Sq/sample 6.10 5.80 4.06- 7.54 A Cs-137 Sq/sample 0.0002 (1) A Co-57 Sq/sample 8.01 6.62 4.63- 8.61 w Co-60 Sq/sample 4.97 4.56 3.19-5.93 A Mn-54 Sq/sample 8.33 7.68 5.38- 9.98 A Sr-90 Sq/sample 0.386 1.30 0.91 - 1.69 N (4) | |||
(1) False positive test. Zn-65 Sq/sample 6.07 5.46 3.82 - 7.10 A | |||
{2) Sensitivity evaluation. | |||
(3) Soil Sr incomplete digestion of the sample resulted in low results; AP U-2341233 - extremely low activity was difficult to quantify AP Gr-A - the MAPEP filter has the activity embedded in the filter. To corrected the low bias, TBE will create an attenuated efficiency for MAPEP samples. NCR 15-13 (4) Water Ni-63 extremely low activity was difficult to quantify; AP & Vegetation Sr-90 was lost during separation, possible from substance added by MAPEP NCR 15-21. | |||
(a) Teledyne Brown Engineering reported result. | |||
(b) The MAPEP known value is equal to 100% of the parameter present in the standard as determined by gravimetric and/or volumetric measurements made during standard preparation. | |||
(c) DOEIMAPEP evaluation: A=acceptable, W=acceptable with warning, N=not acceptable. | |||
-, ERA ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY CROSS CHECK PROGRAM TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (PAGE 1OF1) | |||
Identification Reported Known Acceptance Month/Year Number Media Nuclide Units Value (a) Value(b) Limits Evaluation (c) | |||
May2015 RA0.:101 Water Sr-89 pCi/L 45.2 63.2 51.1 -71.2 N(1J Sr-90 pCi/L 28.0 41.9 30.8 -48.1 N(1) 8a-133 pCi/L 80.6 82.5 63.9 -90.8 A Cs-134 pCi/L 71.7 75.7 61.8-83.3 A Cs-137 pCi/L 187 189 170 - 210 A Co-60 pCi/L 85.7 84.5 76.0-9~.3 A Zn-65 pCi/L 197 203 183 - 238 A Gr-A pCi/L 26.1 42.6 22.1 - 54.0 A Gr-8 pCi/L 28.8 32.9 21.3-40.6 A 1-131 pCi/L 23.5 23.8 19.7-28.3 A U-Nat pCi/L 6.19 6.59 4.99-7.83 A H-3 pCi/L 3145 3280 2770 -3620 A November 2015 RAD-103 Water Sr-89. pCi/L 40.9 35.7 26.7-42.5 A Sr-90 pCi/L 29.3 31.1 22.7- 36.1 A 8a-133 pCi/L 31.5 32.5 25.9-36.7 A Cs-134 pCi/L 59.65 62.3 50.6 - 68.5 A Cs-137 pCi/L 156 157 141 -175 A Co-60 pCi/L 70.6 71.1 64.0 - 80.7 A Zn-65 pCi/L 145 126 113-149 A Gr-A pCi/L 38.2 51.6 26.9- 64.7 A Gr-8 pCi/L 42.0 36.6 24.1 -44.2 A 1-131 pCi/L 24.8 26.3 21.9-31.0 A U-Nat pCi/L 146.90 56.2 45.7 - 62.4 N(2) | |||
H-3 pCi/L 21100 21300 18700 - 23400 A (1) Yield on the high side of our acceptance range indicates possibility of calcium interference. NCR 15-09 (2) Technician failed to dilute original sample. If dilulted, the result would have been 57.1, which fell within the acceptance limits. NCR 15-19 (a) Teledyne Brown Engineering reported result. | |||
(b) The ERA known value is equal to 100% of the parameter present in the standard as determined by gravimetric and/or volumetric measurements made during standard preparation. | |||
(c) ERA evalua.pon: A=acceptable. Reported result falls within the Warning Limits. NA =not acceptable. Reported result falls outside of the Control Limits. CE=check for Error. Reported result falls within the Control Limits and outside of the Warning Limit. | |||
APPENDIX G Teledyne Brown Engineering Environmental Services Annual 2015 Quality Assurance Report | |||
..-,~TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING 1 A Teledyne Technologies Company TELEDYNE* BROWN ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Knoxville Laboratory Annual2015 QUALITY ASSURANCE REPORT January- December 2015 Teledyne Brown Engineering 2508 Quality Lane Knoxville, TN 37931-3133 | |||
Annual 2015 Quality Assurance Report Review and Signature Quality Assurance Manager: | |||
Contractual Review Laboratory Operations Manager: | |||
Technical Review Keith 0 * .Jete | |||
Teledyne Brown Engineering Laboratory - Environmental Services {TBE-ES) | |||
OPEBATIONAL QUALITY CONTROL SCOPE Inter-laboratory The TBE-ES Laboratory QC Program is designed to monitor the quality of analytical processing associated with environmental, effluent (10CFR Part 50), and waste characterization {10CFR Part | |||
: 61) sarpples. | |||
Quality Control of environmental radioanalyses involves the internal process control program and independent third party programs administered by Analytics, Inc and Environmental Resource Associates (ERA). | |||
TBE-ES participates in the Quality Assessment Program (QAP) administered by the Department of Energy (DOE) Mixed Analyte Performance Evaluation Program (MAPEP). The MAPEP is a set of performance evaluation samples (e.g. water, soil, air filters, etc.) designed to evaluate the ability and quality of analytical facilities performing sample measurements which contain hazardous and radioactive (mixed) analytes. | |||
Quality Control for radioanalyses during this reporting period was divided among internal process check samples, third party process checks prepared by Analytics, Inc. {which was submitted by users or secured directly by TBE-ES for QC purposes), ERA, and DOE's MAPEP. | |||
Intra-laboratory The internal Quality Control program is designed to include QC functions such as instrumentation checks (to ensure proper instrument response), blank samples (to which no analyte radioactivity has been added), instrumentation backgrounds, duplicates, as well as overall staff qualification analyses and process controls. Both process control and qualification analyses sam pies seek to mimic the media type of those sample~ submitted for analyses by the various laboratory clients. | |||
These process controls (or process checks) are either actual samples submitted in duplicate in order to evaluate the accuracy of laboratory measurements, or blank samples which have been "spiked" with a known quantity of a radioisotope that is of interest to laboratory clients. These QC samples, which represent either "single" or "double-blind" unknowns, are intended to evaluate the entire radiochemical and radiometric process. | |||
To provide direction and consistency in administering the quality assurance program, TBE-ES has developed and follows an annual quality control and audit assessment schedule. The plan describes the scheduled frequency and scope of Quality Assurance and Control considered necessary for an adequate QNQC program conducted throughout the year. The magnitude of the process control program combines both internal and external sources targeted at 5% of the routine sample analysis load. | |||
QA Program (Internal and External Audits) | |||
During each reporting period at least one internal assessment is conducted in accordance with the pre-established TBE-ES Quality Control and Audit Assessment Schedule. In addition, the laboratory may be audited by prospective customers during a pre-contract audit, and/or by existing clients who wish to conduct periodic audits in accordance with their contractual arrangements. The Nuclear Utilities Procurement Issues Committee (NUPIC) conducts audits of TBE-ES as a function of a Utilities Radiological Environment Measurement Program (REMP). | |||
TBE-ES Laboratory-Knoxville has successfully completed the Energy Solutions (NIAC audit), | |||
State of Tennessee, Nuclear Utility Procurement Issues Committee (NUPIC), New York State and Department of Health's Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (NELAP) audits. These | |||
audits were each a comprehensive review of TBE-ES's .Quality and Technical programs used to assess the laboratory's ability to produce accurate and defensible data. No significant deficiencies, which would adversely impact data quality, were identified during any of these audits. Administrative findings identified during these inspections are usually addressed promptly, according to client specifications. | |||
Analytical Services Quality Control Synopsis RESULTS | |||
==SUMMARY== | |||
Environmental Services Quality Control During this annual reporting period, twenty-three nuclides associated with six media types were analyzed by means of the laboratory's internal process control, Analytics, ERA and DOE quality control programs. Media types representative of client company analyses performed during this reporting period were selected. The results for these programs are presented in the following summary tables. Below is a synopsis of the media types evaluated: | |||
* Air Filter | |||
* Charcoal (Air Iodine) | |||
* Milk | |||
* Soil | |||
* Vegetation | |||
* Water Analytics Environmental Cross-Check Program Twelve nuclides were evaluated during this reporting period. lron-55 in water was added to the Analytics program and removed from the DOE MAPEP program in 2010 due to the low level of Fe-55 activity in the MAPEP samples. All but one of the environmental analyses performed were within the acceptable criteria. | |||
Summary of Participation in the Department of Energy (DOE) Monitoring Program TBE-ES participated in the semi annual Mixed Analyte Performance Evaluation Program (MAPEP) for liquid, air particulate, soil, and vegetation analyses (MAPEP-Series 30 and 31 ). | |||
During this reporting period, 16 nuclides were evaluated. All but five of the environmental analyses performed were within the acceptable criteria. | |||
The Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP March 2015 Sr-90 in soil and AP results were evaluated as failing on the low side. The soil was incompletely digested and this resulted in low results. The U-234-233 low result was difficult to quantify. The Gr-A filter has the activity embedded in the filter. To correct the low bias, TBE will create an attenuated efficiency for MAPEP samples. | |||
The Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP 2015 September water sample for Nl-63 had extremely low activity and was difficult to quantify. The Sr-90 for AP and vegetation was lost during separation, possibly from substance added by MAPEP. | |||
Summary of participation in the ERA Program During this reporting period, 12 nuclides were analyzed under ERA criteria. Gross alpha in an air particulate by digestion method was added to the ERA program in May 2010. All except three of the environmental analytical results were acceptable. | |||
2 | |||
Teledyne Brown Engineering's ERA 2015 Sr-89 and Sr-90 in water had a yield on the high side of our acceptance range which indicates the possibility of calcium interference. . | |||
Teledyne Brown Engineering's ERA 2015 U-Nat in water was not diluted by the technician. If diluted, the result would have been 57.1, which fell within the acceptance limits. | |||
Intra-Laboratory Pro,cess Control Program The TBE-ES Laboratory's internal process control program evaluated 5433 individual samples. | |||
Spikes/Matrix Spikes All of the 1548 environmental spikes were analyzed with statistically appropriate activity reported for each spike. | |||
Analytical Blanks During this reporting period, all of the 1491 environmental analytical blanks analyzed reported less than MDC. | |||
Duplicates Total All of the 2900 duplicate sets analyzed were within acceptable limits. | |||
NON-CONFORMANCE REPORTS There were 10 non-conformance reports issued for this reporting period. For the TBE laboratory, 129 out of 139 analyses performed met the specified acceptance criteria. Ten analyses (AP - Cr-51, U-234/233, Gr A, Sr-90; Soil Sr-90; Water - Ni-63, Sr-89/90, U natural; Vegetation Sr-90 samples) did not meet the specified acceptance criteria for the following reasons and were addressed through the TBE Corrective Action Program: | |||
Note: The Department of Energy (DOE) Mixed Analyte Performance Evaluation Program (MAPEP) samples are created to mimic conditions found at DOE sites which do not resemble typical environmental samples obtained at eommercial nuclear power facilities. | |||
: 1. Teledyne Brown Engineering's Analytics' June 2015 air particulate Cr-51 result of 323 +/- | |||
45.5 pCi was higher than the known value of 233 pCi with a ratio of 1.39. The upper ratio of 1.30 (acceptable with warning) was exceeded. The air particulate sample is counted at a distance above the surface of the detector to avoid detector summing which could alter the results. Chromium-51 has the shortest half-life (27.7 days) and the lowest gamma energy (320.08 keV) of this mixed nuclide sample. Additionally, Cr-51 has only one gamma energy and also has a low intensity (9.38 gamma photons produced per 100 disintegrations). This geometry produces a larger error for the Cr-51 and other gamma emitters as any distance from the detector decreases the counting rate and the probability of accurately detecting the nuclide energy. Taking into consideration the uncertainty, the activity of cr.:51 overlaps with the known value at a ratio of 1.19, which would statistically be considered acceptable. NCR 15-18 | |||
: 2. | |||
* Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP March 2015 soil Sr-90 result of 286 Total Bq/kg was lower than the known value of 653 Bq/kg, exceeding the lower acceptance range of 487 Bq/kg. The failure was due to incomplete digestion of the sample. Incomplete digestion of samples causes some of the sample to be left behind and is not present in the digested sample utilized for analysis. The procedure has qeen updated to include a more robust digestion using stirring during the heating phase. The MAPEP September I | |||
3 | |||
2014 soil Sr-90 series prior to this study was evaluated as acceptable with a result of 694 and an acceptance range of 601 - 1115 Bq/kg. The MAPEP September 2015 series soil Sr-90 after this study was evaluated as acceptable with a result of 429 and an acceptance range of 298 - 553 Bq/kg. -We feel the issue is specific to the March 2015 MAPEP sample. NCR 15-13 | |||
: 3. Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP March 2015 air particulate U-234/233 result of 0.0211 +/- 0.0120 Bq/sample was higher than the known value of 0.0155 Bq/sample, exceeding the upper acceptance range of 0.0202 Bq/sample. Although evaluated as a failure, taking into consideration the uncertainty, TBE's result would overlap with the known value, which is statistically considered acceptable. MAPEP spiked the sample with significantly more U-238 activity (a found to known ratio of 0.96) th<ii_n the normal U-234/233. Due to the extremely low activity, it was difficult to quantify the U-234/233. | |||
NCR 15-13 | |||
: 4. Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP March 2015 air particulate gross alpha result of 0.448 Sq/sample was lower than the known value of 1.77 Bq/sample, exceeding the lower acceptance range of 0.53 Bq/sample. The instrument efficiency used for gross alpha is determined using a non-attenuated alpha~standard. The MAPEP filter has the alphas embedded in the filter, requiring an attenuated efficiency. When samples contain alpha particles that are embedded in the sample media, due to the size of the alpha particle, some of the alpha particles are absorbed by the media and cannot escape to be counted. When the sample media absorbs the alpha particles this is known as self-absorption or attenuation. The calibration must include a similar configuration/media to correct for the attenuation. In order to correct the low bias, TBE will create an attenuated efficiency for MAPEP air particulate filters. The MAPEP September series air particulate gross alpha result of 0.47 Bq/sample was evaluated as acceptable with a range of 0.24 - | |||
1.53 Sq/sample. Unlike the MAPEP samples, air particulate Gross alpha analyses for power plants are not evaluated as a direct count sample. Power plant air particulate filters for gross alpha go through an acid digestion process prior to counting and the digested material is analyzed. NCR 15-13 | |||
: 5. Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP September water Ni-63 result of 11.8 +/- 10.8 Bq/l was higher than the known value of 8.55 Bq/l, exceeding the upper acceptance range of 11.12 Bq/L. The Ni-63 half-life is approximately 100 years. Nickel-63 is corsidered to be a "soft" or low energy beta emitter, which means that the beta energy is very low. The maximum beta energy for Ni-63 is approximately 65 keV, much lower than other more common nuclides such as Co-60 (maximum beta energy of 1549 keV). The original sample was run with a 10 ml aliquot which was not sufficient for the low level of Ni-63 in the sample. The rerun aliquot of 30 ml produced an acceptable result of 8.81 Bq/L. | |||
NCR 15-21 | |||
: 6. Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP September air particulate Sr-90 result of 1.48 Bq/sample was lower than the known value of 2.18 Bq/sample, exceeding the lower acceptance range of 1.53 Bq/sample. In the past, MAPEP has added substances (unusual compounds found in DOE complexes) to various matrices that have resulted in incomplete removal of the isotope of interest for the laboratories analyzing the cross checks. TBE suspects that this may be the cause of this error. Many compounds, if not properly accounted for or removed in the sample matrix, can cause interferences to either indicate lower activity or higher activity. TBE will no longer analyze the air particulate Sr-90 through MAPEP but will participate in the Analytics cross check program to perform both Sr-89 and Sr-90 in the air particulate matrix. NCR 15-21 | |||
: 7. Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP September vegetation Sr-90 result of 0.386 Bq/sample was lower than the known value of 1.30 Bq/sample, exceeding the lower acceptance range of 0.91 Bq/sample. In the past, MAPEP has added substances 4 | |||
(unusual compounds found in DOE complexes) to various matrices that have resulted in incomplete removal of the isotope of interest for the laboratories analyzing the cross checks. TBE suspects that this maybe the cause of this error. Many compounc;!ls, if not properly accounted for or removed in the sample matrix, can cause interferences to either indicate lower activity or higher activity. Results from previous performance evaluations were reviewed and shown to be acceptable. NCR 15-21 | |||
: 8. & 9.Teledyne Brown Engineering's ERA May water Sr-89/90 results of 45.2 and 28.0 pCi/l, respectively were low~r than the known values of 63.2 and 41.9 pCi/l, respectively, exceeding the lower acceptance limits of 51.1 and 30.8 pCi/l, respectively. The yields were on the high side of the TBE acceptance range, which indicates the present of excess calcium contributed to the yielcj, resulting in low results. NCR 15-09 | |||
: 10. Teledyne Brown Engineering's ERA November water Uranium natural result of 146.9 pCi/l was higher than the known value of 56.2 pCi/l, exceeding the upper acceptance limit of 62.4 pCi/L. The technician failed to dilute the original sample, but used the entire 12 ml sample. When the results were recalculated without the dilution and using the 12 ml aliquot, the result of 57.16 agreed with the assigned value of 56.2. NCR 15-19 5 | |||
ANALYTICS ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY CROSS CHECK PROGRAM TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (PAGE 1OF3) | |||
Identification Reported Known Ratio (c) | |||
Month/Year Number Matrix Nuclide Units Value(a) Value(b) TBE/Analytics Evaluation (d) | |||
March 2015 E11181 Milk Sr-89 pCi/L 88.9 97.2 0.91 A Sr-90 pCi/L 12.2 17.4 0.70 w E11182 Milk 1-131 pCi/L 61.3 65.1 0.94 A Ce-141 pCi/L 104 113 0.92 A Cr-51 pCi/L 265 276 0.96 A Cs-134 pCi/L 138 154 0.90 A Cs-137 pCi/L 205 207 0.99 A Co-58 pCi/L I 178 183 0.97 A Mn-54 pCi/L 187 188 0.99 A Fe-59 pCi/L 182 177 1.03 A Zn-65 pCi/L 345 351 0.98 A Co-60 pCi/L 379 405 0.94 A E11184 AP Ce-141 pCi 107 85.0 1.26 w Cr-51 pCi 261 224 1.17 A Cs-134 pCi 74.6 77.0 0.97 A Cs-137 pCi 99.6 102 0.98 A Co-58 pCi 99.8 110 0.91 A Mn-54 pCi 99.2 96.9 1.02 A Fe-59 pCi 109 119 0.92 A Zn-65 pCi 188 183 1.03 A Co-60 pCi 200 201 1.00 A E11183 Charcoal 1-131 pCi 82.9 85.4 0.97 A E11185 Water Fe-55 pCi/L 1950 . 1900 1.03 A June 2015 E11234 Milk Sr-89 pCi/L 94.9 92.6 1.02 A Sr-90 pCi/L 14.3 12.7 1.13 A E11238 Milk 1-131 pCi/L 93.2 95.9 0.97 A Ce-141 pCi/L Not provided for this study Cr-51 pCi/L 349 276 1.26 w Cs-134 pCi/L 165 163 1.01 A Cs-137 pCi/L 143.0 125 1.14 A Co-58 pCi/L 82.0 68.4 1.20 A Mn-54 pCi/L 113 101 1.12 A Fe-59 pCi/L 184 151 1.22 w Zn-65 pCi/L 269 248 1.08 A Co-60 pCi/L 208 193 1.08 A E11237 \., | |||
AP Ce-141 pCi Not provided for this study Cr-51 pCi 323 233 1.39 N (1) | |||
Cs-134 pCi 139 138 1.01 A Cs-137 pCi 111 106 1.05 A Co-58 pCi 54.0 57.8 0.93 A Mn-54 pCi 96.8 84.9 1.14 A Fe-59 pCi 162 128 1.27 w Zn-65 pCi 198 210 0.94 ' A Co-60 pCi 178 163 1.09 A E11236 Charcoal 1-131 pCi 93.9 80 1.17 A | |||
ANALYTICS ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY CROSS CHECK PROGRAM TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (PAGE 20F 3) | |||
Identification Reported Known Ratio (c) | |||
Month/Year Number Matrix Nuclide Units Value(a) Value(b) TBE/Analyiics Evaluation (d) | |||
June 2015 E11238 Water Fe-55 pCi/L 1890 1790 1.06 A September2015 E11289 Milk Sr-89 pCi/L 95.7 99.1 0.97 A Sr-90 pCi/L 15.4 16.4 0.94 A E11290 Milk 1-131 pCi/L 94.9 99.9 0.95 A Ce-141 pCi/L 228 213 1.07 A Cr-51 pCi/L 499 538 0.93 A Cs-134 pCi/L 208 212 0.98 A Cs-137 pCi/L 270 I 255 1.06 A Co-58 pCi/L 275 263 1.05 A Mn-54 pCi/L 320 290 1.10 A Fe-59 pCi/L 255 226 1.13 A Zn-65 pCi/L 392 353 1.11 A Co-60 pCi/L 350 330 1.06 A E11292 AP Ce-141 pCi 104 85.1 1.22 w Cr-51 pCi 262 215 1.22 w Cs-134 pCi 86.1 84.6 1.02 A Cs-137 pCi 93.0 102 0.91 A Co.58 pCi 106 105 1.01 A Mn-54 pCi 117 116 1.01 A Fe-59 pCi 94.8 90.2 1.05 A Zn-65 pCi 160 141 1.13 A Co-60 pCi 146 132 1.11 A E11291 Charcoal 1-131 . pCi 85.9 81.7 1.05 A E11293 Water Fe-55 pCi/L 2090 1800 1.16 A E11294 Soil Ce-141 pCi/kg 209 222 0.94 A Cr-51 pCi/kg 463 560 0.83 A Cs-134 pCi/kg 231 221 1.05 A cs.137 pCi/kg 311 344 0.90 A Co-58 pCi/kg 245 274 0.89 A Mn-54 pCi/kg 297 302 0.98 A Fe-59 pCi/kg 248 235 1.06 A Zn-65 pCi/kg 347 368 0.94 A Co-60 pCi/kg 328 344 0.95 A December 2015 E11354 Milk Sr-89 pCi/L 96.2 86.8 1.11 A Sr-90 pCi/L 14.8 12.5 1.18 A E1135S- Milk 1-131 pCi/L 95.1 91.2 1.04 A Ce-141 pCi/L 117 129 0.91 A Cr-51 pCi/L 265 281 0.94 A Cs-134 pCi/L 153 160 0.96 A Cs-137 pCi/L 119 115 1.03 A Co-58 pCi/L 107 110 0.97 A Mn.54 pCVL 153 145 1.06 A Fe-59 pCi/L 117 108 1.08 A Zn-65 pCi/L 261 248 1.05 A Co-60 pCi/L 212 213 1.00 A | |||
'\ | |||
ANALYTICS ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY CROSS CHECK PROGRAM TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (PAGE 30F 3) | |||
Identification Reported Known Ratio(c) | |||
MonthNear Number Matrix Nuclide Units Value(a) Value (b) TBE/Anal;aics Evaluation (d) | |||
December 2015 E11357 AP Ce-141 pCi 89.9 84.0 1.07 A Cr-51 pCi 215 184 1.17 A Cs-134 pCi 103 105 0.98 A Cs-137 pCi 76.6 74.8 1.02 A Co-58 pCi 76.2 71.9, 1.06 A Mn-54 pCi 91.4 94.4 0.97 A Fe-59 pCi 78.6 70.3 1.12 A Zn-65 pCi 173 162 1.07 A Co-60 ; pCi 138 139 0.99 A E11422 AP Sr-89 pCi 98.0 96.9 1.01 A Sr-90 pCi 10.0 14.0 0.71 )w E11356 Charcoal 1-131 pCi 74.9 75.2 1.00 *A E11358 Water Fe-55 pCi/L 2160 1710 1.26 w E11353 Soil Ce-141 pCi/kg 252 222 1.14 A Cr-51 pCi/kg 485 485 1.00 A Cs-134 pCi/kg 319 277 1.15 A Cs-137 pCi/kg 292 276 1.06 A Co-58 pCi/kg 193 190 1.02 A Mn-54 pCi/kg 258 250 1.03 A Fe-59 pCi/kg 218 186 1.17 A Zn-65 pCi/kg 457 429 1.07 A Co-60 pCi/kg 381 368 1.04 A (1) AP Cr Cr-51 has.the shortest half-life and the weakest gamma energy of the mixed nuclide sample, which produces a large error. Taking into account the error, the lowest value would be 119% of the reference value, which would be considered acceptable. NCR 15-18 (a) Teledyne Brown Engineering reported result. | |||
(b) The Analytics known value is equal to 100% of the parameter present in the standard as determined by gravimetric and/or | |||
\ | |||
volumetric measurements made during standard preparation. | |||
(c) Ratio of Teledyne Brown Engineering to Analytics results. | |||
(d) Analytics evaluation based on TBE internal QC limits: A= Acceptable, reported result falls within ratio limits of 0. 80-1.20. | |||
W-Acceptable with warning, reported result falls within 0. 70-0.80 or 1.20-1.30. N =Not Acceptable, reported result falls outside the ratio limits of< o. 70 and> 1.30. | |||
DOE's MIXED ANALYTE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION PROGRAM (MAPEP) | |||
TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (PAGE 1OF1) | |||
Identification Reported Known Acceptance Month/Year Number Media Nuclide* Units Value (a) Value (bl Range Evaluation (c) | |||
March 2015 15-MaW32 Water Am-241 Sq/L 0.632 0.654 0.458 - 0.850 A | |||
, Ni-63 Sq/L 2.5 (1) A 1 Pu-238 Sq/L 0.0204 0.0089 (2) A Pu-239/240 Sq/L 0.9 0.8 0.582 - 1.082 A 15-MaS32 Soil Ni-63 Sq/kg 392 448.0 314- 582 A Sr-90 Sq/kg 286 653 ' 487-849 N (3) 15-RdF32 AP Sr-90 Sq/sample -0.0991 (1) A U-234/233 Sq/sample 0.0211. 0.0155 0.0109 - 0.0202 N (3) | |||
U-238 Sq/sample 0.095 0.099 0.069 - 0.129 A' 15-GrF32 AP Gr-A Sq/sample 0.448 1.77 0.53-3.01 N (3) | |||
Gr-S Sq/sample 0.7580 0.75 0.38-1.13 A 15-RdV32 Vegetation Cs-134 Sq/sample 8.08 7.32 5.12- 9.52 A Cs-137 Sq/sample 11.6 9.18 6.43-11.93 w Co-57 Sq/sample -0.0096 (1) A Co-60 Sq/sample 6.53 5.55 3.89- 7.22 A Mn-54 Sq/sample 0.0058 (1) A Sr-90 Sq/sample 0.999 1.08 0.76 - 1.40 A Zn-65 Sq/sample -0.108 (1) A September 2015 15-MaW33 Water Am-241 Sq/L 1.012 1.055 0. 739 - 1.372 A Ni-63 Sq/L 11.8 8.55 5.99-11.12 N (4) | |||
Pu-238 Sq/L 0.727. 0.681 0.477 - 0.885 A Pu-239/240 Sq/L 0.830 0.900 0.630-1.170 A 15-MaS33 Soil Ni-63 Sq/kg 635 682 477-887 A Sr-90 Sq/kg 429 425 298 - 553 A 15-RdF33 AP Sr-90 Sq/sample 1.48 2.18 1.53-2.83 N (4) | |||
U-234/233 Sq/sample 0.143 0.143 0.100-0.186 A U-238 ,Sq/sample 0.149 0.148 0.104-0.192 A 15-GrF33 AP Gr-A Sq/sample 0.497 0.90 0.27-1.53 A Gr-S Sq/sample 1.34 1.56 0.78-2.34 A 15-RdV33 Vegetation Cs-134 Sq/sample 6.10 5.80 4.06- 7.54 A Cs-137 Sq/sample 0.0002 (1) A Co-57 Sq/sample 8.01 6.62 4.63- 8.61 w Co-60 Sq/sample 4.97 4.56 3.19-5.93 A Mn-54 Sq/sample 8.33 7.68 5.38- 9.98 A Sr-90 Sq/sample 0.386 1.30 0.91 - 1.69 N (4) | |||
(1) False positive test. Zn-65 Sq/sample 6.07 5.46 3.82 - 7.10 A | |||
{2) Sensitivity evaluation. | |||
(3) Soil Sr incomplete digestion of the sample resulted in low results; AP U-2341233 - extremely low activity was difficult to quantify AP Gr-A - the MAPEP filter has the activity embedded in the filter. To corrected the low bias, TBE will create an attenuated efficiency for MAPEP samples. NCR 15-13 (4) Water Ni-63 extremely low activity was difficult to quantify; AP & Vegetation Sr-90 was lost during separation, possible from substance added by MAPEP NCR 15-21. | |||
(a) Teledyne Brown Engineering reported result. | |||
(b) The MAPEP known value is equal to 100% of the parameter present in the standard as determined by gravimetric and/or volumetric measurements made during standard preparation. | |||
(c) DOEIMAPEP evaluation: A=acceptable, W=acceptable with warning, N=not acceptable. | |||
-, ERA ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY CROSS CHECK PROGRAM TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (PAGE 1OF1) | |||
Identification Reported Known Acceptance Month/Year Number Media Nuclide Units Value (a) Value(b) Limits Evaluation (c) | |||
May2015 RA0.:101 Water Sr-89 pCi/L 45.2 63.2 51.1 -71.2 N(1J Sr-90 pCi/L 28.0 41.9 30.8 -48.1 N(1) 8a-133 pCi/L 80.6 82.5 63.9 -90.8 A Cs-134 pCi/L 71.7 75.7 61.8-83.3 A Cs-137 pCi/L 187 189 170 - 210 A Co-60 pCi/L 85.7 84.5 76.0-9~.3 A Zn-65 pCi/L 197 203 183 - 238 A Gr-A pCi/L 26.1 42.6 22.1 - 54.0 A Gr-8 pCi/L 28.8 32.9 21.3-40.6 A 1-131 pCi/L 23.5 23.8 19.7-28.3 A U-Nat pCi/L 6.19 6.59 4.99-7.83 A H-3 pCi/L 3145 3280 2770 -3620 A November 2015 RAD-103 Water Sr-89. pCi/L 40.9 35.7 26.7-42.5 A Sr-90 pCi/L 29.3 31.1 22.7- 36.1 A 8a-133 pCi/L 31.5 32.5 25.9-36.7 A Cs-134 pCi/L 59.65 62.3 50.6 - 68.5 A Cs-137 pCi/L 156 157 141 -175 A Co-60 pCi/L 70.6 71.1 64.0 - 80.7 A Zn-65 pCi/L 145 126 113-149 A Gr-A pCi/L 38.2 51.6 26.9- 64.7 A Gr-8 pCi/L 42.0 36.6 24.1 -44.2 A 1-131 pCi/L 24.8 26.3 21.9-31.0 A U-Nat pCi/L 146.90 56.2 45.7 - 62.4 N(2) | |||
H-3 pCi/L 21100 21300 18700 - 23400 A (1) Yield on the high side of our acceptance range indicates possibility of calcium interference. NCR 15-09 (2) Technician failed to dilute original sample. If dilulted, the result would have been 57.1, which fell within the acceptance limits. NCR 15-19 (a) Teledyne Brown Engineering reported result. | |||
(b) The ERA known value is equal to 100% of the parameter present in the standard as determined by gravimetric and/or volumetric measurements made during standard preparation. | |||
(c) ERA evalua.pon: A=acceptable. Reported result falls within the Warning Limits. NA =not acceptable. Reported result falls outside of the Control Limits. CE=check for Error. Reported result falls within the Control Limits and outside of the Warning Limit.}} |
Latest revision as of 03:03, 5 February 2020
ML16148A708 | |
Person / Time | |
---|---|
Site: | Pilgrim |
Issue date: | 05/09/2016 |
From: | Jeter K, Perry L Teledyne Brown Engineering Environmental Services |
To: | Document Control Desk, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation |
Shared Package | |
Ml16148A727 | List: |
References | |
2.16.027 | |
Download: ML16148A708 (13) | |
Text
APPENDIX G Teledyne Brown Engineering Environmental Services Annual 2015 Quality Assurance Report
..-,~TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING 1 A Teledyne Technologies Company TELEDYNE* BROWN ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Knoxville Laboratory Annual2015 QUALITY ASSURANCE REPORT January- December 2015 Teledyne Brown Engineering 2508 Quality Lane Knoxville, TN 37931-3133
Annual 2015 Quality Assurance Report Review and Signature Quality Assurance Manager:
Contractual Review Laboratory Operations Manager:
Technical Review Keith 0 * .Jete
Teledyne Brown Engineering Laboratory - Environmental Services {TBE-ES)
OPEBATIONAL QUALITY CONTROL SCOPE Inter-laboratory The TBE-ES Laboratory QC Program is designed to monitor the quality of analytical processing associated with environmental, effluent (10CFR Part 50), and waste characterization {10CFR Part
- 61) sarpples.
Quality Control of environmental radioanalyses involves the internal process control program and independent third party programs administered by Analytics, Inc and Environmental Resource Associates (ERA).
TBE-ES participates in the Quality Assessment Program (QAP) administered by the Department of Energy (DOE) Mixed Analyte Performance Evaluation Program (MAPEP). The MAPEP is a set of performance evaluation samples (e.g. water, soil, air filters, etc.) designed to evaluate the ability and quality of analytical facilities performing sample measurements which contain hazardous and radioactive (mixed) analytes.
Quality Control for radioanalyses during this reporting period was divided among internal process check samples, third party process checks prepared by Analytics, Inc. {which was submitted by users or secured directly by TBE-ES for QC purposes), ERA, and DOE's MAPEP.
Intra-laboratory The internal Quality Control program is designed to include QC functions such as instrumentation checks (to ensure proper instrument response), blank samples (to which no analyte radioactivity has been added), instrumentation backgrounds, duplicates, as well as overall staff qualification analyses and process controls. Both process control and qualification analyses sam pies seek to mimic the media type of those sample~ submitted for analyses by the various laboratory clients.
These process controls (or process checks) are either actual samples submitted in duplicate in order to evaluate the accuracy of laboratory measurements, or blank samples which have been "spiked" with a known quantity of a radioisotope that is of interest to laboratory clients. These QC samples, which represent either "single" or "double-blind" unknowns, are intended to evaluate the entire radiochemical and radiometric process.
To provide direction and consistency in administering the quality assurance program, TBE-ES has developed and follows an annual quality control and audit assessment schedule. The plan describes the scheduled frequency and scope of Quality Assurance and Control considered necessary for an adequate QNQC program conducted throughout the year. The magnitude of the process control program combines both internal and external sources targeted at 5% of the routine sample analysis load.
QA Program (Internal and External Audits)
During each reporting period at least one internal assessment is conducted in accordance with the pre-established TBE-ES Quality Control and Audit Assessment Schedule. In addition, the laboratory may be audited by prospective customers during a pre-contract audit, and/or by existing clients who wish to conduct periodic audits in accordance with their contractual arrangements. The Nuclear Utilities Procurement Issues Committee (NUPIC) conducts audits of TBE-ES as a function of a Utilities Radiological Environment Measurement Program (REMP).
TBE-ES Laboratory-Knoxville has successfully completed the Energy Solutions (NIAC audit),
State of Tennessee, Nuclear Utility Procurement Issues Committee (NUPIC), New York State and Department of Health's Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (NELAP) audits. These
audits were each a comprehensive review of TBE-ES's .Quality and Technical programs used to assess the laboratory's ability to produce accurate and defensible data. No significant deficiencies, which would adversely impact data quality, were identified during any of these audits. Administrative findings identified during these inspections are usually addressed promptly, according to client specifications.
Analytical Services Quality Control Synopsis RESULTS
SUMMARY
Environmental Services Quality Control During this annual reporting period, twenty-three nuclides associated with six media types were analyzed by means of the laboratory's internal process control, Analytics, ERA and DOE quality control programs. Media types representative of client company analyses performed during this reporting period were selected. The results for these programs are presented in the following summary tables. Below is a synopsis of the media types evaluated:
- Air Filter
- Charcoal (Air Iodine)
- Milk
- Soil
- Vegetation
- Water Analytics Environmental Cross-Check Program Twelve nuclides were evaluated during this reporting period. lron-55 in water was added to the Analytics program and removed from the DOE MAPEP program in 2010 due to the low level of Fe-55 activity in the MAPEP samples. All but one of the environmental analyses performed were within the acceptable criteria.
Summary of Participation in the Department of Energy (DOE) Monitoring Program TBE-ES participated in the semi annual Mixed Analyte Performance Evaluation Program (MAPEP) for liquid, air particulate, soil, and vegetation analyses (MAPEP-Series 30 and 31 ).
During this reporting period, 16 nuclides were evaluated. All but five of the environmental analyses performed were within the acceptable criteria.
The Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP March 2015 Sr-90 in soil and AP results were evaluated as failing on the low side. The soil was incompletely digested and this resulted in low results. The U-234-233 low result was difficult to quantify. The Gr-A filter has the activity embedded in the filter. To correct the low bias, TBE will create an attenuated efficiency for MAPEP samples.
The Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP 2015 September water sample for Nl-63 had extremely low activity and was difficult to quantify. The Sr-90 for AP and vegetation was lost during separation, possibly from substance added by MAPEP.
Summary of participation in the ERA Program During this reporting period, 12 nuclides were analyzed under ERA criteria. Gross alpha in an air particulate by digestion method was added to the ERA program in May 2010. All except three of the environmental analytical results were acceptable.
2
Teledyne Brown Engineering's ERA 2015 Sr-89 and Sr-90 in water had a yield on the high side of our acceptance range which indicates the possibility of calcium interference. .
Teledyne Brown Engineering's ERA 2015 U-Nat in water was not diluted by the technician. If diluted, the result would have been 57.1, which fell within the acceptance limits.
Intra-Laboratory Pro,cess Control Program The TBE-ES Laboratory's internal process control program evaluated 5433 individual samples.
Spikes/Matrix Spikes All of the 1548 environmental spikes were analyzed with statistically appropriate activity reported for each spike.
Analytical Blanks During this reporting period, all of the 1491 environmental analytical blanks analyzed reported less than MDC.
Duplicates Total All of the 2900 duplicate sets analyzed were within acceptable limits.
NON-CONFORMANCE REPORTS There were 10 non-conformance reports issued for this reporting period. For the TBE laboratory, 129 out of 139 analyses performed met the specified acceptance criteria. Ten analyses (AP - Cr-51, U-234/233, Gr A, Sr-90; Soil Sr-90; Water - Ni-63, Sr-89/90, U natural; Vegetation Sr-90 samples) did not meet the specified acceptance criteria for the following reasons and were addressed through the TBE Corrective Action Program:
Note: The Department of Energy (DOE) Mixed Analyte Performance Evaluation Program (MAPEP) samples are created to mimic conditions found at DOE sites which do not resemble typical environmental samples obtained at eommercial nuclear power facilities.
- 1. Teledyne Brown Engineering's Analytics' June 2015 air particulate Cr-51 result of 323 +/-
45.5 pCi was higher than the known value of 233 pCi with a ratio of 1.39. The upper ratio of 1.30 (acceptable with warning) was exceeded. The air particulate sample is counted at a distance above the surface of the detector to avoid detector summing which could alter the results. Chromium-51 has the shortest half-life (27.7 days) and the lowest gamma energy (320.08 keV) of this mixed nuclide sample. Additionally, Cr-51 has only one gamma energy and also has a low intensity (9.38 gamma photons produced per 100 disintegrations). This geometry produces a larger error for the Cr-51 and other gamma emitters as any distance from the detector decreases the counting rate and the probability of accurately detecting the nuclide energy. Taking into consideration the uncertainty, the activity of cr.:51 overlaps with the known value at a ratio of 1.19, which would statistically be considered acceptable. NCR 15-18
- 2.
- Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP March 2015 soil Sr-90 result of 286 Total Bq/kg was lower than the known value of 653 Bq/kg, exceeding the lower acceptance range of 487 Bq/kg. The failure was due to incomplete digestion of the sample. Incomplete digestion of samples causes some of the sample to be left behind and is not present in the digested sample utilized for analysis. The procedure has qeen updated to include a more robust digestion using stirring during the heating phase. The MAPEP September I
3
2014 soil Sr-90 series prior to this study was evaluated as acceptable with a result of 694 and an acceptance range of 601 - 1115 Bq/kg. The MAPEP September 2015 series soil Sr-90 after this study was evaluated as acceptable with a result of 429 and an acceptance range of 298 - 553 Bq/kg. -We feel the issue is specific to the March 2015 MAPEP sample. NCR 15-13
- 3. Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP March 2015 air particulate U-234/233 result of 0.0211 +/- 0.0120 Bq/sample was higher than the known value of 0.0155 Bq/sample, exceeding the upper acceptance range of 0.0202 Bq/sample. Although evaluated as a failure, taking into consideration the uncertainty, TBE's result would overlap with the known value, which is statistically considered acceptable. MAPEP spiked the sample with significantly more U-238 activity (a found to known ratio of 0.96) th<ii_n the normal U-234/233. Due to the extremely low activity, it was difficult to quantify the U-234/233.
NCR 15-13
- 4. Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP March 2015 air particulate gross alpha result of 0.448 Sq/sample was lower than the known value of 1.77 Bq/sample, exceeding the lower acceptance range of 0.53 Bq/sample. The instrument efficiency used for gross alpha is determined using a non-attenuated alpha~standard. The MAPEP filter has the alphas embedded in the filter, requiring an attenuated efficiency. When samples contain alpha particles that are embedded in the sample media, due to the size of the alpha particle, some of the alpha particles are absorbed by the media and cannot escape to be counted. When the sample media absorbs the alpha particles this is known as self-absorption or attenuation. The calibration must include a similar configuration/media to correct for the attenuation. In order to correct the low bias, TBE will create an attenuated efficiency for MAPEP air particulate filters. The MAPEP September series air particulate gross alpha result of 0.47 Bq/sample was evaluated as acceptable with a range of 0.24 -
1.53 Sq/sample. Unlike the MAPEP samples, air particulate Gross alpha analyses for power plants are not evaluated as a direct count sample. Power plant air particulate filters for gross alpha go through an acid digestion process prior to counting and the digested material is analyzed. NCR 15-13
- 5. Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP September water Ni-63 result of 11.8 +/- 10.8 Bq/l was higher than the known value of 8.55 Bq/l, exceeding the upper acceptance range of 11.12 Bq/L. The Ni-63 half-life is approximately 100 years. Nickel-63 is corsidered to be a "soft" or low energy beta emitter, which means that the beta energy is very low. The maximum beta energy for Ni-63 is approximately 65 keV, much lower than other more common nuclides such as Co-60 (maximum beta energy of 1549 keV). The original sample was run with a 10 ml aliquot which was not sufficient for the low level of Ni-63 in the sample. The rerun aliquot of 30 ml produced an acceptable result of 8.81 Bq/L.
NCR 15-21
- 6. Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP September air particulate Sr-90 result of 1.48 Bq/sample was lower than the known value of 2.18 Bq/sample, exceeding the lower acceptance range of 1.53 Bq/sample. In the past, MAPEP has added substances (unusual compounds found in DOE complexes) to various matrices that have resulted in incomplete removal of the isotope of interest for the laboratories analyzing the cross checks. TBE suspects that this may be the cause of this error. Many compounds, if not properly accounted for or removed in the sample matrix, can cause interferences to either indicate lower activity or higher activity. TBE will no longer analyze the air particulate Sr-90 through MAPEP but will participate in the Analytics cross check program to perform both Sr-89 and Sr-90 in the air particulate matrix. NCR 15-21
- 7. Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP September vegetation Sr-90 result of 0.386 Bq/sample was lower than the known value of 1.30 Bq/sample, exceeding the lower acceptance range of 0.91 Bq/sample. In the past, MAPEP has added substances 4
(unusual compounds found in DOE complexes) to various matrices that have resulted in incomplete removal of the isotope of interest for the laboratories analyzing the cross checks. TBE suspects that this maybe the cause of this error. Many compounc;!ls, if not properly accounted for or removed in the sample matrix, can cause interferences to either indicate lower activity or higher activity. Results from previous performance evaluations were reviewed and shown to be acceptable. NCR 15-21
- 8. & 9.Teledyne Brown Engineering's ERA May water Sr-89/90 results of 45.2 and 28.0 pCi/l, respectively were low~r than the known values of 63.2 and 41.9 pCi/l, respectively, exceeding the lower acceptance limits of 51.1 and 30.8 pCi/l, respectively. The yields were on the high side of the TBE acceptance range, which indicates the present of excess calcium contributed to the yielcj, resulting in low results. NCR 15-09
- 10. Teledyne Brown Engineering's ERA November water Uranium natural result of 146.9 pCi/l was higher than the known value of 56.2 pCi/l, exceeding the upper acceptance limit of 62.4 pCi/L. The technician failed to dilute the original sample, but used the entire 12 ml sample. When the results were recalculated without the dilution and using the 12 ml aliquot, the result of 57.16 agreed with the assigned value of 56.2. NCR 15-19 5
ANALYTICS ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY CROSS CHECK PROGRAM TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (PAGE 1OF3)
Identification Reported Known Ratio (c)
Month/Year Number Matrix Nuclide Units Value(a) Value(b) TBE/Analytics Evaluation (d)
March 2015 E11181 Milk Sr-89 pCi/L 88.9 97.2 0.91 A Sr-90 pCi/L 12.2 17.4 0.70 w E11182 Milk 1-131 pCi/L 61.3 65.1 0.94 A Ce-141 pCi/L 104 113 0.92 A Cr-51 pCi/L 265 276 0.96 A Cs-134 pCi/L 138 154 0.90 A Cs-137 pCi/L 205 207 0.99 A Co-58 pCi/L I 178 183 0.97 A Mn-54 pCi/L 187 188 0.99 A Fe-59 pCi/L 182 177 1.03 A Zn-65 pCi/L 345 351 0.98 A Co-60 pCi/L 379 405 0.94 A E11184 AP Ce-141 pCi 107 85.0 1.26 w Cr-51 pCi 261 224 1.17 A Cs-134 pCi 74.6 77.0 0.97 A Cs-137 pCi 99.6 102 0.98 A Co-58 pCi 99.8 110 0.91 A Mn-54 pCi 99.2 96.9 1.02 A Fe-59 pCi 109 119 0.92 A Zn-65 pCi 188 183 1.03 A Co-60 pCi 200 201 1.00 A E11183 Charcoal 1-131 pCi 82.9 85.4 0.97 A E11185 Water Fe-55 pCi/L 1950 . 1900 1.03 A June 2015 E11234 Milk Sr-89 pCi/L 94.9 92.6 1.02 A Sr-90 pCi/L 14.3 12.7 1.13 A E11238 Milk 1-131 pCi/L 93.2 95.9 0.97 A Ce-141 pCi/L Not provided for this study Cr-51 pCi/L 349 276 1.26 w Cs-134 pCi/L 165 163 1.01 A Cs-137 pCi/L 143.0 125 1.14 A Co-58 pCi/L 82.0 68.4 1.20 A Mn-54 pCi/L 113 101 1.12 A Fe-59 pCi/L 184 151 1.22 w Zn-65 pCi/L 269 248 1.08 A Co-60 pCi/L 208 193 1.08 A E11237 \.,
AP Ce-141 pCi Not provided for this study Cr-51 pCi 323 233 1.39 N (1)
Cs-134 pCi 139 138 1.01 A Cs-137 pCi 111 106 1.05 A Co-58 pCi 54.0 57.8 0.93 A Mn-54 pCi 96.8 84.9 1.14 A Fe-59 pCi 162 128 1.27 w Zn-65 pCi 198 210 0.94 ' A Co-60 pCi 178 163 1.09 A E11236 Charcoal 1-131 pCi 93.9 80 1.17 A
ANALYTICS ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY CROSS CHECK PROGRAM TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (PAGE 20F 3)
Identification Reported Known Ratio (c)
Month/Year Number Matrix Nuclide Units Value(a) Value(b) TBE/Analyiics Evaluation (d)
June 2015 E11238 Water Fe-55 pCi/L 1890 1790 1.06 A September2015 E11289 Milk Sr-89 pCi/L 95.7 99.1 0.97 A Sr-90 pCi/L 15.4 16.4 0.94 A E11290 Milk 1-131 pCi/L 94.9 99.9 0.95 A Ce-141 pCi/L 228 213 1.07 A Cr-51 pCi/L 499 538 0.93 A Cs-134 pCi/L 208 212 0.98 A Cs-137 pCi/L 270 I 255 1.06 A Co-58 pCi/L 275 263 1.05 A Mn-54 pCi/L 320 290 1.10 A Fe-59 pCi/L 255 226 1.13 A Zn-65 pCi/L 392 353 1.11 A Co-60 pCi/L 350 330 1.06 A E11292 AP Ce-141 pCi 104 85.1 1.22 w Cr-51 pCi 262 215 1.22 w Cs-134 pCi 86.1 84.6 1.02 A Cs-137 pCi 93.0 102 0.91 A Co.58 pCi 106 105 1.01 A Mn-54 pCi 117 116 1.01 A Fe-59 pCi 94.8 90.2 1.05 A Zn-65 pCi 160 141 1.13 A Co-60 pCi 146 132 1.11 A E11291 Charcoal 1-131 . pCi 85.9 81.7 1.05 A E11293 Water Fe-55 pCi/L 2090 1800 1.16 A E11294 Soil Ce-141 pCi/kg 209 222 0.94 A Cr-51 pCi/kg 463 560 0.83 A Cs-134 pCi/kg 231 221 1.05 A cs.137 pCi/kg 311 344 0.90 A Co-58 pCi/kg 245 274 0.89 A Mn-54 pCi/kg 297 302 0.98 A Fe-59 pCi/kg 248 235 1.06 A Zn-65 pCi/kg 347 368 0.94 A Co-60 pCi/kg 328 344 0.95 A December 2015 E11354 Milk Sr-89 pCi/L 96.2 86.8 1.11 A Sr-90 pCi/L 14.8 12.5 1.18 A E1135S- Milk 1-131 pCi/L 95.1 91.2 1.04 A Ce-141 pCi/L 117 129 0.91 A Cr-51 pCi/L 265 281 0.94 A Cs-134 pCi/L 153 160 0.96 A Cs-137 pCi/L 119 115 1.03 A Co-58 pCi/L 107 110 0.97 A Mn.54 pCVL 153 145 1.06 A Fe-59 pCi/L 117 108 1.08 A Zn-65 pCi/L 261 248 1.05 A Co-60 pCi/L 212 213 1.00 A
'\
ANALYTICS ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY CROSS CHECK PROGRAM TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (PAGE 30F 3)
Identification Reported Known Ratio(c)
MonthNear Number Matrix Nuclide Units Value(a) Value (b) TBE/Anal;aics Evaluation (d)
December 2015 E11357 AP Ce-141 pCi 89.9 84.0 1.07 A Cr-51 pCi 215 184 1.17 A Cs-134 pCi 103 105 0.98 A Cs-137 pCi 76.6 74.8 1.02 A Co-58 pCi 76.2 71.9, 1.06 A Mn-54 pCi 91.4 94.4 0.97 A Fe-59 pCi 78.6 70.3 1.12 A Zn-65 pCi 173 162 1.07 A Co-60 ; pCi 138 139 0.99 A E11422 AP Sr-89 pCi 98.0 96.9 1.01 A Sr-90 pCi 10.0 14.0 0.71 )w E11356 Charcoal 1-131 pCi 74.9 75.2 1.00 *A E11358 Water Fe-55 pCi/L 2160 1710 1.26 w E11353 Soil Ce-141 pCi/kg 252 222 1.14 A Cr-51 pCi/kg 485 485 1.00 A Cs-134 pCi/kg 319 277 1.15 A Cs-137 pCi/kg 292 276 1.06 A Co-58 pCi/kg 193 190 1.02 A Mn-54 pCi/kg 258 250 1.03 A Fe-59 pCi/kg 218 186 1.17 A Zn-65 pCi/kg 457 429 1.07 A Co-60 pCi/kg 381 368 1.04 A (1) AP Cr Cr-51 has.the shortest half-life and the weakest gamma energy of the mixed nuclide sample, which produces a large error. Taking into account the error, the lowest value would be 119% of the reference value, which would be considered acceptable. NCR 15-18 (a) Teledyne Brown Engineering reported result.
(b) The Analytics known value is equal to 100% of the parameter present in the standard as determined by gravimetric and/or
\
volumetric measurements made during standard preparation.
(c) Ratio of Teledyne Brown Engineering to Analytics results.
(d) Analytics evaluation based on TBE internal QC limits: A= Acceptable, reported result falls within ratio limits of 0. 80-1.20.
W-Acceptable with warning, reported result falls within 0. 70-0.80 or 1.20-1.30. N =Not Acceptable, reported result falls outside the ratio limits of< o. 70 and> 1.30.
DOE's MIXED ANALYTE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION PROGRAM (MAPEP)
TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (PAGE 1OF1)
Identification Reported Known Acceptance Month/Year Number Media Nuclide* Units Value (a) Value (bl Range Evaluation (c)
March 2015 15-MaW32 Water Am-241 Sq/L 0.632 0.654 0.458 - 0.850 A
, Ni-63 Sq/L 2.5 (1) A 1 Pu-238 Sq/L 0.0204 0.0089 (2) A Pu-239/240 Sq/L 0.9 0.8 0.582 - 1.082 A 15-MaS32 Soil Ni-63 Sq/kg 392 448.0 314- 582 A Sr-90 Sq/kg 286 653 ' 487-849 N (3) 15-RdF32 AP Sr-90 Sq/sample -0.0991 (1) A U-234/233 Sq/sample 0.0211. 0.0155 0.0109 - 0.0202 N (3)
U-238 Sq/sample 0.095 0.099 0.069 - 0.129 A' 15-GrF32 AP Gr-A Sq/sample 0.448 1.77 0.53-3.01 N (3)
Gr-S Sq/sample 0.7580 0.75 0.38-1.13 A 15-RdV32 Vegetation Cs-134 Sq/sample 8.08 7.32 5.12- 9.52 A Cs-137 Sq/sample 11.6 9.18 6.43-11.93 w Co-57 Sq/sample -0.0096 (1) A Co-60 Sq/sample 6.53 5.55 3.89- 7.22 A Mn-54 Sq/sample 0.0058 (1) A Sr-90 Sq/sample 0.999 1.08 0.76 - 1.40 A Zn-65 Sq/sample -0.108 (1) A September 2015 15-MaW33 Water Am-241 Sq/L 1.012 1.055 0. 739 - 1.372 A Ni-63 Sq/L 11.8 8.55 5.99-11.12 N (4)
Pu-238 Sq/L 0.727. 0.681 0.477 - 0.885 A Pu-239/240 Sq/L 0.830 0.900 0.630-1.170 A 15-MaS33 Soil Ni-63 Sq/kg 635 682 477-887 A Sr-90 Sq/kg 429 425 298 - 553 A 15-RdF33 AP Sr-90 Sq/sample 1.48 2.18 1.53-2.83 N (4)
U-234/233 Sq/sample 0.143 0.143 0.100-0.186 A U-238 ,Sq/sample 0.149 0.148 0.104-0.192 A 15-GrF33 AP Gr-A Sq/sample 0.497 0.90 0.27-1.53 A Gr-S Sq/sample 1.34 1.56 0.78-2.34 A 15-RdV33 Vegetation Cs-134 Sq/sample 6.10 5.80 4.06- 7.54 A Cs-137 Sq/sample 0.0002 (1) A Co-57 Sq/sample 8.01 6.62 4.63- 8.61 w Co-60 Sq/sample 4.97 4.56 3.19-5.93 A Mn-54 Sq/sample 8.33 7.68 5.38- 9.98 A Sr-90 Sq/sample 0.386 1.30 0.91 - 1.69 N (4)
(1) False positive test. Zn-65 Sq/sample 6.07 5.46 3.82 - 7.10 A
{2) Sensitivity evaluation.
(3) Soil Sr incomplete digestion of the sample resulted in low results; AP U-2341233 - extremely low activity was difficult to quantify AP Gr-A - the MAPEP filter has the activity embedded in the filter. To corrected the low bias, TBE will create an attenuated efficiency for MAPEP samples. NCR 15-13 (4) Water Ni-63 extremely low activity was difficult to quantify; AP & Vegetation Sr-90 was lost during separation, possible from substance added by MAPEP NCR 15-21.
(a) Teledyne Brown Engineering reported result.
(b) The MAPEP known value is equal to 100% of the parameter present in the standard as determined by gravimetric and/or volumetric measurements made during standard preparation.
(c) DOEIMAPEP evaluation: A=acceptable, W=acceptable with warning, N=not acceptable.
-, ERA ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY CROSS CHECK PROGRAM TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (PAGE 1OF1)
Identification Reported Known Acceptance Month/Year Number Media Nuclide Units Value (a) Value(b) Limits Evaluation (c)
May2015 RA0.:101 Water Sr-89 pCi/L 45.2 63.2 51.1 -71.2 N(1J Sr-90 pCi/L 28.0 41.9 30.8 -48.1 N(1) 8a-133 pCi/L 80.6 82.5 63.9 -90.8 A Cs-134 pCi/L 71.7 75.7 61.8-83.3 A Cs-137 pCi/L 187 189 170 - 210 A Co-60 pCi/L 85.7 84.5 76.0-9~.3 A Zn-65 pCi/L 197 203 183 - 238 A Gr-A pCi/L 26.1 42.6 22.1 - 54.0 A Gr-8 pCi/L 28.8 32.9 21.3-40.6 A 1-131 pCi/L 23.5 23.8 19.7-28.3 A U-Nat pCi/L 6.19 6.59 4.99-7.83 A H-3 pCi/L 3145 3280 2770 -3620 A November 2015 RAD-103 Water Sr-89. pCi/L 40.9 35.7 26.7-42.5 A Sr-90 pCi/L 29.3 31.1 22.7- 36.1 A 8a-133 pCi/L 31.5 32.5 25.9-36.7 A Cs-134 pCi/L 59.65 62.3 50.6 - 68.5 A Cs-137 pCi/L 156 157 141 -175 A Co-60 pCi/L 70.6 71.1 64.0 - 80.7 A Zn-65 pCi/L 145 126 113-149 A Gr-A pCi/L 38.2 51.6 26.9- 64.7 A Gr-8 pCi/L 42.0 36.6 24.1 -44.2 A 1-131 pCi/L 24.8 26.3 21.9-31.0 A U-Nat pCi/L 146.90 56.2 45.7 - 62.4 N(2)
H-3 pCi/L 21100 21300 18700 - 23400 A (1) Yield on the high side of our acceptance range indicates possibility of calcium interference. NCR 15-09 (2) Technician failed to dilute original sample. If dilulted, the result would have been 57.1, which fell within the acceptance limits. NCR 15-19 (a) Teledyne Brown Engineering reported result.
(b) The ERA known value is equal to 100% of the parameter present in the standard as determined by gravimetric and/or volumetric measurements made during standard preparation.
(c) ERA evalua.pon: A=acceptable. Reported result falls within the Warning Limits. NA =not acceptable. Reported result falls outside of the Control Limits. CE=check for Error. Reported result falls within the Control Limits and outside of the Warning Limit.
APPENDIX G Teledyne Brown Engineering Environmental Services Annual 2015 Quality Assurance Report
..-,~TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING 1 A Teledyne Technologies Company TELEDYNE* BROWN ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Knoxville Laboratory Annual2015 QUALITY ASSURANCE REPORT January- December 2015 Teledyne Brown Engineering 2508 Quality Lane Knoxville, TN 37931-3133
Annual 2015 Quality Assurance Report Review and Signature Quality Assurance Manager:
Contractual Review Laboratory Operations Manager:
Technical Review Keith 0 * .Jete
Teledyne Brown Engineering Laboratory - Environmental Services {TBE-ES)
OPEBATIONAL QUALITY CONTROL SCOPE Inter-laboratory The TBE-ES Laboratory QC Program is designed to monitor the quality of analytical processing associated with environmental, effluent (10CFR Part 50), and waste characterization {10CFR Part
- 61) sarpples.
Quality Control of environmental radioanalyses involves the internal process control program and independent third party programs administered by Analytics, Inc and Environmental Resource Associates (ERA).
TBE-ES participates in the Quality Assessment Program (QAP) administered by the Department of Energy (DOE) Mixed Analyte Performance Evaluation Program (MAPEP). The MAPEP is a set of performance evaluation samples (e.g. water, soil, air filters, etc.) designed to evaluate the ability and quality of analytical facilities performing sample measurements which contain hazardous and radioactive (mixed) analytes.
Quality Control for radioanalyses during this reporting period was divided among internal process check samples, third party process checks prepared by Analytics, Inc. {which was submitted by users or secured directly by TBE-ES for QC purposes), ERA, and DOE's MAPEP.
Intra-laboratory The internal Quality Control program is designed to include QC functions such as instrumentation checks (to ensure proper instrument response), blank samples (to which no analyte radioactivity has been added), instrumentation backgrounds, duplicates, as well as overall staff qualification analyses and process controls. Both process control and qualification analyses sam pies seek to mimic the media type of those sample~ submitted for analyses by the various laboratory clients.
These process controls (or process checks) are either actual samples submitted in duplicate in order to evaluate the accuracy of laboratory measurements, or blank samples which have been "spiked" with a known quantity of a radioisotope that is of interest to laboratory clients. These QC samples, which represent either "single" or "double-blind" unknowns, are intended to evaluate the entire radiochemical and radiometric process.
To provide direction and consistency in administering the quality assurance program, TBE-ES has developed and follows an annual quality control and audit assessment schedule. The plan describes the scheduled frequency and scope of Quality Assurance and Control considered necessary for an adequate QNQC program conducted throughout the year. The magnitude of the process control program combines both internal and external sources targeted at 5% of the routine sample analysis load.
QA Program (Internal and External Audits)
During each reporting period at least one internal assessment is conducted in accordance with the pre-established TBE-ES Quality Control and Audit Assessment Schedule. In addition, the laboratory may be audited by prospective customers during a pre-contract audit, and/or by existing clients who wish to conduct periodic audits in accordance with their contractual arrangements. The Nuclear Utilities Procurement Issues Committee (NUPIC) conducts audits of TBE-ES as a function of a Utilities Radiological Environment Measurement Program (REMP).
TBE-ES Laboratory-Knoxville has successfully completed the Energy Solutions (NIAC audit),
State of Tennessee, Nuclear Utility Procurement Issues Committee (NUPIC), New York State and Department of Health's Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (NELAP) audits. These
audits were each a comprehensive review of TBE-ES's .Quality and Technical programs used to assess the laboratory's ability to produce accurate and defensible data. No significant deficiencies, which would adversely impact data quality, were identified during any of these audits. Administrative findings identified during these inspections are usually addressed promptly, according to client specifications.
Analytical Services Quality Control Synopsis RESULTS
SUMMARY
Environmental Services Quality Control During this annual reporting period, twenty-three nuclides associated with six media types were analyzed by means of the laboratory's internal process control, Analytics, ERA and DOE quality control programs. Media types representative of client company analyses performed during this reporting period were selected. The results for these programs are presented in the following summary tables. Below is a synopsis of the media types evaluated:
- Air Filter
- Charcoal (Air Iodine)
- Milk
- Soil
- Vegetation
- Water Analytics Environmental Cross-Check Program Twelve nuclides were evaluated during this reporting period. lron-55 in water was added to the Analytics program and removed from the DOE MAPEP program in 2010 due to the low level of Fe-55 activity in the MAPEP samples. All but one of the environmental analyses performed were within the acceptable criteria.
Summary of Participation in the Department of Energy (DOE) Monitoring Program TBE-ES participated in the semi annual Mixed Analyte Performance Evaluation Program (MAPEP) for liquid, air particulate, soil, and vegetation analyses (MAPEP-Series 30 and 31 ).
During this reporting period, 16 nuclides were evaluated. All but five of the environmental analyses performed were within the acceptable criteria.
The Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP March 2015 Sr-90 in soil and AP results were evaluated as failing on the low side. The soil was incompletely digested and this resulted in low results. The U-234-233 low result was difficult to quantify. The Gr-A filter has the activity embedded in the filter. To correct the low bias, TBE will create an attenuated efficiency for MAPEP samples.
The Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP 2015 September water sample for Nl-63 had extremely low activity and was difficult to quantify. The Sr-90 for AP and vegetation was lost during separation, possibly from substance added by MAPEP.
Summary of participation in the ERA Program During this reporting period, 12 nuclides were analyzed under ERA criteria. Gross alpha in an air particulate by digestion method was added to the ERA program in May 2010. All except three of the environmental analytical results were acceptable.
2
Teledyne Brown Engineering's ERA 2015 Sr-89 and Sr-90 in water had a yield on the high side of our acceptance range which indicates the possibility of calcium interference. .
Teledyne Brown Engineering's ERA 2015 U-Nat in water was not diluted by the technician. If diluted, the result would have been 57.1, which fell within the acceptance limits.
Intra-Laboratory Pro,cess Control Program The TBE-ES Laboratory's internal process control program evaluated 5433 individual samples.
Spikes/Matrix Spikes All of the 1548 environmental spikes were analyzed with statistically appropriate activity reported for each spike.
Analytical Blanks During this reporting period, all of the 1491 environmental analytical blanks analyzed reported less than MDC.
Duplicates Total All of the 2900 duplicate sets analyzed were within acceptable limits.
NON-CONFORMANCE REPORTS There were 10 non-conformance reports issued for this reporting period. For the TBE laboratory, 129 out of 139 analyses performed met the specified acceptance criteria. Ten analyses (AP - Cr-51, U-234/233, Gr A, Sr-90; Soil Sr-90; Water - Ni-63, Sr-89/90, U natural; Vegetation Sr-90 samples) did not meet the specified acceptance criteria for the following reasons and were addressed through the TBE Corrective Action Program:
Note: The Department of Energy (DOE) Mixed Analyte Performance Evaluation Program (MAPEP) samples are created to mimic conditions found at DOE sites which do not resemble typical environmental samples obtained at eommercial nuclear power facilities.
- 1. Teledyne Brown Engineering's Analytics' June 2015 air particulate Cr-51 result of 323 +/-
45.5 pCi was higher than the known value of 233 pCi with a ratio of 1.39. The upper ratio of 1.30 (acceptable with warning) was exceeded. The air particulate sample is counted at a distance above the surface of the detector to avoid detector summing which could alter the results. Chromium-51 has the shortest half-life (27.7 days) and the lowest gamma energy (320.08 keV) of this mixed nuclide sample. Additionally, Cr-51 has only one gamma energy and also has a low intensity (9.38 gamma photons produced per 100 disintegrations). This geometry produces a larger error for the Cr-51 and other gamma emitters as any distance from the detector decreases the counting rate and the probability of accurately detecting the nuclide energy. Taking into consideration the uncertainty, the activity of cr.:51 overlaps with the known value at a ratio of 1.19, which would statistically be considered acceptable. NCR 15-18
- 2.
- Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP March 2015 soil Sr-90 result of 286 Total Bq/kg was lower than the known value of 653 Bq/kg, exceeding the lower acceptance range of 487 Bq/kg. The failure was due to incomplete digestion of the sample. Incomplete digestion of samples causes some of the sample to be left behind and is not present in the digested sample utilized for analysis. The procedure has qeen updated to include a more robust digestion using stirring during the heating phase. The MAPEP September I
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2014 soil Sr-90 series prior to this study was evaluated as acceptable with a result of 694 and an acceptance range of 601 - 1115 Bq/kg. The MAPEP September 2015 series soil Sr-90 after this study was evaluated as acceptable with a result of 429 and an acceptance range of 298 - 553 Bq/kg. -We feel the issue is specific to the March 2015 MAPEP sample. NCR 15-13
- 3. Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP March 2015 air particulate U-234/233 result of 0.0211 +/- 0.0120 Bq/sample was higher than the known value of 0.0155 Bq/sample, exceeding the upper acceptance range of 0.0202 Bq/sample. Although evaluated as a failure, taking into consideration the uncertainty, TBE's result would overlap with the known value, which is statistically considered acceptable. MAPEP spiked the sample with significantly more U-238 activity (a found to known ratio of 0.96) th<ii_n the normal U-234/233. Due to the extremely low activity, it was difficult to quantify the U-234/233.
NCR 15-13
- 4. Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP March 2015 air particulate gross alpha result of 0.448 Sq/sample was lower than the known value of 1.77 Bq/sample, exceeding the lower acceptance range of 0.53 Bq/sample. The instrument efficiency used for gross alpha is determined using a non-attenuated alpha~standard. The MAPEP filter has the alphas embedded in the filter, requiring an attenuated efficiency. When samples contain alpha particles that are embedded in the sample media, due to the size of the alpha particle, some of the alpha particles are absorbed by the media and cannot escape to be counted. When the sample media absorbs the alpha particles this is known as self-absorption or attenuation. The calibration must include a similar configuration/media to correct for the attenuation. In order to correct the low bias, TBE will create an attenuated efficiency for MAPEP air particulate filters. The MAPEP September series air particulate gross alpha result of 0.47 Bq/sample was evaluated as acceptable with a range of 0.24 -
1.53 Sq/sample. Unlike the MAPEP samples, air particulate Gross alpha analyses for power plants are not evaluated as a direct count sample. Power plant air particulate filters for gross alpha go through an acid digestion process prior to counting and the digested material is analyzed. NCR 15-13
- 5. Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP September water Ni-63 result of 11.8 +/- 10.8 Bq/l was higher than the known value of 8.55 Bq/l, exceeding the upper acceptance range of 11.12 Bq/L. The Ni-63 half-life is approximately 100 years. Nickel-63 is corsidered to be a "soft" or low energy beta emitter, which means that the beta energy is very low. The maximum beta energy for Ni-63 is approximately 65 keV, much lower than other more common nuclides such as Co-60 (maximum beta energy of 1549 keV). The original sample was run with a 10 ml aliquot which was not sufficient for the low level of Ni-63 in the sample. The rerun aliquot of 30 ml produced an acceptable result of 8.81 Bq/L.
NCR 15-21
- 6. Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP September air particulate Sr-90 result of 1.48 Bq/sample was lower than the known value of 2.18 Bq/sample, exceeding the lower acceptance range of 1.53 Bq/sample. In the past, MAPEP has added substances (unusual compounds found in DOE complexes) to various matrices that have resulted in incomplete removal of the isotope of interest for the laboratories analyzing the cross checks. TBE suspects that this may be the cause of this error. Many compounds, if not properly accounted for or removed in the sample matrix, can cause interferences to either indicate lower activity or higher activity. TBE will no longer analyze the air particulate Sr-90 through MAPEP but will participate in the Analytics cross check program to perform both Sr-89 and Sr-90 in the air particulate matrix. NCR 15-21
- 7. Teledyne Brown Engineering's MAPEP September vegetation Sr-90 result of 0.386 Bq/sample was lower than the known value of 1.30 Bq/sample, exceeding the lower acceptance range of 0.91 Bq/sample. In the past, MAPEP has added substances 4
(unusual compounds found in DOE complexes) to various matrices that have resulted in incomplete removal of the isotope of interest for the laboratories analyzing the cross checks. TBE suspects that this maybe the cause of this error. Many compounc;!ls, if not properly accounted for or removed in the sample matrix, can cause interferences to either indicate lower activity or higher activity. Results from previous performance evaluations were reviewed and shown to be acceptable. NCR 15-21
- 8. & 9.Teledyne Brown Engineering's ERA May water Sr-89/90 results of 45.2 and 28.0 pCi/l, respectively were low~r than the known values of 63.2 and 41.9 pCi/l, respectively, exceeding the lower acceptance limits of 51.1 and 30.8 pCi/l, respectively. The yields were on the high side of the TBE acceptance range, which indicates the present of excess calcium contributed to the yielcj, resulting in low results. NCR 15-09
- 10. Teledyne Brown Engineering's ERA November water Uranium natural result of 146.9 pCi/l was higher than the known value of 56.2 pCi/l, exceeding the upper acceptance limit of 62.4 pCi/L. The technician failed to dilute the original sample, but used the entire 12 ml sample. When the results were recalculated without the dilution and using the 12 ml aliquot, the result of 57.16 agreed with the assigned value of 56.2. NCR 15-19 5
ANALYTICS ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY CROSS CHECK PROGRAM TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (PAGE 1OF3)
Identification Reported Known Ratio (c)
Month/Year Number Matrix Nuclide Units Value(a) Value(b) TBE/Analytics Evaluation (d)
March 2015 E11181 Milk Sr-89 pCi/L 88.9 97.2 0.91 A Sr-90 pCi/L 12.2 17.4 0.70 w E11182 Milk 1-131 pCi/L 61.3 65.1 0.94 A Ce-141 pCi/L 104 113 0.92 A Cr-51 pCi/L 265 276 0.96 A Cs-134 pCi/L 138 154 0.90 A Cs-137 pCi/L 205 207 0.99 A Co-58 pCi/L I 178 183 0.97 A Mn-54 pCi/L 187 188 0.99 A Fe-59 pCi/L 182 177 1.03 A Zn-65 pCi/L 345 351 0.98 A Co-60 pCi/L 379 405 0.94 A E11184 AP Ce-141 pCi 107 85.0 1.26 w Cr-51 pCi 261 224 1.17 A Cs-134 pCi 74.6 77.0 0.97 A Cs-137 pCi 99.6 102 0.98 A Co-58 pCi 99.8 110 0.91 A Mn-54 pCi 99.2 96.9 1.02 A Fe-59 pCi 109 119 0.92 A Zn-65 pCi 188 183 1.03 A Co-60 pCi 200 201 1.00 A E11183 Charcoal 1-131 pCi 82.9 85.4 0.97 A E11185 Water Fe-55 pCi/L 1950 . 1900 1.03 A June 2015 E11234 Milk Sr-89 pCi/L 94.9 92.6 1.02 A Sr-90 pCi/L 14.3 12.7 1.13 A E11238 Milk 1-131 pCi/L 93.2 95.9 0.97 A Ce-141 pCi/L Not provided for this study Cr-51 pCi/L 349 276 1.26 w Cs-134 pCi/L 165 163 1.01 A Cs-137 pCi/L 143.0 125 1.14 A Co-58 pCi/L 82.0 68.4 1.20 A Mn-54 pCi/L 113 101 1.12 A Fe-59 pCi/L 184 151 1.22 w Zn-65 pCi/L 269 248 1.08 A Co-60 pCi/L 208 193 1.08 A E11237 \.,
AP Ce-141 pCi Not provided for this study Cr-51 pCi 323 233 1.39 N (1)
Cs-134 pCi 139 138 1.01 A Cs-137 pCi 111 106 1.05 A Co-58 pCi 54.0 57.8 0.93 A Mn-54 pCi 96.8 84.9 1.14 A Fe-59 pCi 162 128 1.27 w Zn-65 pCi 198 210 0.94 ' A Co-60 pCi 178 163 1.09 A E11236 Charcoal 1-131 pCi 93.9 80 1.17 A
ANALYTICS ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY CROSS CHECK PROGRAM TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (PAGE 20F 3)
Identification Reported Known Ratio (c)
Month/Year Number Matrix Nuclide Units Value(a) Value(b) TBE/Analyiics Evaluation (d)
June 2015 E11238 Water Fe-55 pCi/L 1890 1790 1.06 A September2015 E11289 Milk Sr-89 pCi/L 95.7 99.1 0.97 A Sr-90 pCi/L 15.4 16.4 0.94 A E11290 Milk 1-131 pCi/L 94.9 99.9 0.95 A Ce-141 pCi/L 228 213 1.07 A Cr-51 pCi/L 499 538 0.93 A Cs-134 pCi/L 208 212 0.98 A Cs-137 pCi/L 270 I 255 1.06 A Co-58 pCi/L 275 263 1.05 A Mn-54 pCi/L 320 290 1.10 A Fe-59 pCi/L 255 226 1.13 A Zn-65 pCi/L 392 353 1.11 A Co-60 pCi/L 350 330 1.06 A E11292 AP Ce-141 pCi 104 85.1 1.22 w Cr-51 pCi 262 215 1.22 w Cs-134 pCi 86.1 84.6 1.02 A Cs-137 pCi 93.0 102 0.91 A Co.58 pCi 106 105 1.01 A Mn-54 pCi 117 116 1.01 A Fe-59 pCi 94.8 90.2 1.05 A Zn-65 pCi 160 141 1.13 A Co-60 pCi 146 132 1.11 A E11291 Charcoal 1-131 . pCi 85.9 81.7 1.05 A E11293 Water Fe-55 pCi/L 2090 1800 1.16 A E11294 Soil Ce-141 pCi/kg 209 222 0.94 A Cr-51 pCi/kg 463 560 0.83 A Cs-134 pCi/kg 231 221 1.05 A cs.137 pCi/kg 311 344 0.90 A Co-58 pCi/kg 245 274 0.89 A Mn-54 pCi/kg 297 302 0.98 A Fe-59 pCi/kg 248 235 1.06 A Zn-65 pCi/kg 347 368 0.94 A Co-60 pCi/kg 328 344 0.95 A December 2015 E11354 Milk Sr-89 pCi/L 96.2 86.8 1.11 A Sr-90 pCi/L 14.8 12.5 1.18 A E1135S- Milk 1-131 pCi/L 95.1 91.2 1.04 A Ce-141 pCi/L 117 129 0.91 A Cr-51 pCi/L 265 281 0.94 A Cs-134 pCi/L 153 160 0.96 A Cs-137 pCi/L 119 115 1.03 A Co-58 pCi/L 107 110 0.97 A Mn.54 pCVL 153 145 1.06 A Fe-59 pCi/L 117 108 1.08 A Zn-65 pCi/L 261 248 1.05 A Co-60 pCi/L 212 213 1.00 A
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ANALYTICS ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY CROSS CHECK PROGRAM TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (PAGE 30F 3)
Identification Reported Known Ratio(c)
MonthNear Number Matrix Nuclide Units Value(a) Value (b) TBE/Anal;aics Evaluation (d)
December 2015 E11357 AP Ce-141 pCi 89.9 84.0 1.07 A Cr-51 pCi 215 184 1.17 A Cs-134 pCi 103 105 0.98 A Cs-137 pCi 76.6 74.8 1.02 A Co-58 pCi 76.2 71.9, 1.06 A Mn-54 pCi 91.4 94.4 0.97 A Fe-59 pCi 78.6 70.3 1.12 A Zn-65 pCi 173 162 1.07 A Co-60 ; pCi 138 139 0.99 A E11422 AP Sr-89 pCi 98.0 96.9 1.01 A Sr-90 pCi 10.0 14.0 0.71 )w E11356 Charcoal 1-131 pCi 74.9 75.2 1.00 *A E11358 Water Fe-55 pCi/L 2160 1710 1.26 w E11353 Soil Ce-141 pCi/kg 252 222 1.14 A Cr-51 pCi/kg 485 485 1.00 A Cs-134 pCi/kg 319 277 1.15 A Cs-137 pCi/kg 292 276 1.06 A Co-58 pCi/kg 193 190 1.02 A Mn-54 pCi/kg 258 250 1.03 A Fe-59 pCi/kg 218 186 1.17 A Zn-65 pCi/kg 457 429 1.07 A Co-60 pCi/kg 381 368 1.04 A (1) AP Cr Cr-51 has.the shortest half-life and the weakest gamma energy of the mixed nuclide sample, which produces a large error. Taking into account the error, the lowest value would be 119% of the reference value, which would be considered acceptable. NCR 15-18 (a) Teledyne Brown Engineering reported result.
(b) The Analytics known value is equal to 100% of the parameter present in the standard as determined by gravimetric and/or
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volumetric measurements made during standard preparation.
(c) Ratio of Teledyne Brown Engineering to Analytics results.
(d) Analytics evaluation based on TBE internal QC limits: A= Acceptable, reported result falls within ratio limits of 0. 80-1.20.
W-Acceptable with warning, reported result falls within 0. 70-0.80 or 1.20-1.30. N =Not Acceptable, reported result falls outside the ratio limits of< o. 70 and> 1.30.
DOE's MIXED ANALYTE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION PROGRAM (MAPEP)
TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (PAGE 1OF1)
Identification Reported Known Acceptance Month/Year Number Media Nuclide* Units Value (a) Value (bl Range Evaluation (c)
March 2015 15-MaW32 Water Am-241 Sq/L 0.632 0.654 0.458 - 0.850 A
, Ni-63 Sq/L 2.5 (1) A 1 Pu-238 Sq/L 0.0204 0.0089 (2) A Pu-239/240 Sq/L 0.9 0.8 0.582 - 1.082 A 15-MaS32 Soil Ni-63 Sq/kg 392 448.0 314- 582 A Sr-90 Sq/kg 286 653 ' 487-849 N (3) 15-RdF32 AP Sr-90 Sq/sample -0.0991 (1) A U-234/233 Sq/sample 0.0211. 0.0155 0.0109 - 0.0202 N (3)
U-238 Sq/sample 0.095 0.099 0.069 - 0.129 A' 15-GrF32 AP Gr-A Sq/sample 0.448 1.77 0.53-3.01 N (3)
Gr-S Sq/sample 0.7580 0.75 0.38-1.13 A 15-RdV32 Vegetation Cs-134 Sq/sample 8.08 7.32 5.12- 9.52 A Cs-137 Sq/sample 11.6 9.18 6.43-11.93 w Co-57 Sq/sample -0.0096 (1) A Co-60 Sq/sample 6.53 5.55 3.89- 7.22 A Mn-54 Sq/sample 0.0058 (1) A Sr-90 Sq/sample 0.999 1.08 0.76 - 1.40 A Zn-65 Sq/sample -0.108 (1) A September 2015 15-MaW33 Water Am-241 Sq/L 1.012 1.055 0. 739 - 1.372 A Ni-63 Sq/L 11.8 8.55 5.99-11.12 N (4)
Pu-238 Sq/L 0.727. 0.681 0.477 - 0.885 A Pu-239/240 Sq/L 0.830 0.900 0.630-1.170 A 15-MaS33 Soil Ni-63 Sq/kg 635 682 477-887 A Sr-90 Sq/kg 429 425 298 - 553 A 15-RdF33 AP Sr-90 Sq/sample 1.48 2.18 1.53-2.83 N (4)
U-234/233 Sq/sample 0.143 0.143 0.100-0.186 A U-238 ,Sq/sample 0.149 0.148 0.104-0.192 A 15-GrF33 AP Gr-A Sq/sample 0.497 0.90 0.27-1.53 A Gr-S Sq/sample 1.34 1.56 0.78-2.34 A 15-RdV33 Vegetation Cs-134 Sq/sample 6.10 5.80 4.06- 7.54 A Cs-137 Sq/sample 0.0002 (1) A Co-57 Sq/sample 8.01 6.62 4.63- 8.61 w Co-60 Sq/sample 4.97 4.56 3.19-5.93 A Mn-54 Sq/sample 8.33 7.68 5.38- 9.98 A Sr-90 Sq/sample 0.386 1.30 0.91 - 1.69 N (4)
(1) False positive test. Zn-65 Sq/sample 6.07 5.46 3.82 - 7.10 A
{2) Sensitivity evaluation.
(3) Soil Sr incomplete digestion of the sample resulted in low results; AP U-2341233 - extremely low activity was difficult to quantify AP Gr-A - the MAPEP filter has the activity embedded in the filter. To corrected the low bias, TBE will create an attenuated efficiency for MAPEP samples. NCR 15-13 (4) Water Ni-63 extremely low activity was difficult to quantify; AP & Vegetation Sr-90 was lost during separation, possible from substance added by MAPEP NCR 15-21.
(a) Teledyne Brown Engineering reported result.
(b) The MAPEP known value is equal to 100% of the parameter present in the standard as determined by gravimetric and/or volumetric measurements made during standard preparation.
(c) DOEIMAPEP evaluation: A=acceptable, W=acceptable with warning, N=not acceptable.
-, ERA ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY CROSS CHECK PROGRAM TELEDYNE BROWN ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES (PAGE 1OF1)
Identification Reported Known Acceptance Month/Year Number Media Nuclide Units Value (a) Value(b) Limits Evaluation (c)
May2015 RA0.:101 Water Sr-89 pCi/L 45.2 63.2 51.1 -71.2 N(1J Sr-90 pCi/L 28.0 41.9 30.8 -48.1 N(1) 8a-133 pCi/L 80.6 82.5 63.9 -90.8 A Cs-134 pCi/L 71.7 75.7 61.8-83.3 A Cs-137 pCi/L 187 189 170 - 210 A Co-60 pCi/L 85.7 84.5 76.0-9~.3 A Zn-65 pCi/L 197 203 183 - 238 A Gr-A pCi/L 26.1 42.6 22.1 - 54.0 A Gr-8 pCi/L 28.8 32.9 21.3-40.6 A 1-131 pCi/L 23.5 23.8 19.7-28.3 A U-Nat pCi/L 6.19 6.59 4.99-7.83 A H-3 pCi/L 3145 3280 2770 -3620 A November 2015 RAD-103 Water Sr-89. pCi/L 40.9 35.7 26.7-42.5 A Sr-90 pCi/L 29.3 31.1 22.7- 36.1 A 8a-133 pCi/L 31.5 32.5 25.9-36.7 A Cs-134 pCi/L 59.65 62.3 50.6 - 68.5 A Cs-137 pCi/L 156 157 141 -175 A Co-60 pCi/L 70.6 71.1 64.0 - 80.7 A Zn-65 pCi/L 145 126 113-149 A Gr-A pCi/L 38.2 51.6 26.9- 64.7 A Gr-8 pCi/L 42.0 36.6 24.1 -44.2 A 1-131 pCi/L 24.8 26.3 21.9-31.0 A U-Nat pCi/L 146.90 56.2 45.7 - 62.4 N(2)
H-3 pCi/L 21100 21300 18700 - 23400 A (1) Yield on the high side of our acceptance range indicates possibility of calcium interference. NCR 15-09 (2) Technician failed to dilute original sample. If dilulted, the result would have been 57.1, which fell within the acceptance limits. NCR 15-19 (a) Teledyne Brown Engineering reported result.
(b) The ERA known value is equal to 100% of the parameter present in the standard as determined by gravimetric and/or volumetric measurements made during standard preparation.
(c) ERA evalua.pon: A=acceptable. Reported result falls within the Warning Limits. NA =not acceptable. Reported result falls outside of the Control Limits. CE=check for Error. Reported result falls within the Control Limits and outside of the Warning Limit.