DIN EN ISO 13161:2024-10

This document specifies a method for the measurement of 210Po in all types of waters by alpha spectrometry. The method is applicable to test samples of supply/drinking water, rainwater, surface and ground water, marine water, as well as cooling water, industrial water, domestic, and industrial wastewater after proper sampling and handling, and test sample preparation. Filtration of the test sample may be required. The detection limit depends on the sample volume, the instrument used, the counting time, the background count rate, the detection efficiency and the chemical yield. The method described in this document, using currently available alpha spectrometry apparatus, has a detection limit of approximately 5 mBq/l. If suspended material has to be removed or analysed, filtration using a 0,45 μm filter is recommended. This document has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 147 "Water quality" in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 230 "Water analysis". The responsible German standardization committee is Subcommittee NA 119-01-03-08 UA "Radioaktivitätsmessung im Wasser" ("Radioactivity measurements in waters") of Working Committee NA 119-01-03 AA "Wasseruntersuchung" ("Water examination") at DIN Standards Committee Water Practice (NAW).