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EVALUATION OF A PROTOTYPE FIELD-PORTABLE X-RAY FLUORESCENCE SYSTEM FOR HAZARDOUS WASTE SCREENING
Citation:
Raab, G., D. Cardenas, S. Simon, AND L. Eccles. EVALUATION OF A PROTOTYPE FIELD-PORTABLE X-RAY FLUORESCENCE SYSTEM FOR HAZARDOUS WASTE SCREENING. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/4-87/021 (NTIS PB87227633), 1987.
Description:
A prototype field-portable X-ray fluorescence system developed by EPA and NASA was evaluated at a site contaminated with Pb, Zn, and Cu. The objective of the field test was to evaluate the effectiveness of the instrument as a field analytical tool for locating hot spots and as a preliminary screening device where immediate data feedback aids in decisionmaking in the field. The quality assurance consisted of measuring NBS standard reference materials to verify the data measured in the field and in the laboratory in addition to duplicates, blanks, and replicate sample analysis. The analytical results were plotted on the sampling grid. One can immediately locate the hot spots for Cu, Zn, and Pb on site. The instrument detection limits for Cu, Zn, and Pb are 250, 200, and 70 ppm, respectively. Precision and accuracy of the in situ measurements were within plus or minus 10 percent of the true value when compared to the samples analyzed in the laboratory.