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ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY VERIFICATION REPORT - FIELD PORTABLE X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYZER - METOREX, INC. X-MET 920-P AND 940
Citation:
Hess, E. AND P. Splichal. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY VERIFICATION REPORT - FIELD PORTABLE X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYZER - METOREX, INC. X-MET 920-P AND 940. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-97/146 (NTIS PB2001-101793), 1998.
Description:
In April 1995, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sponsored a demonstration of field portable X-ray fluorescence (FPXRF) analyzers. The primary objectives of this demonstration were (1) to determine how well FPXRF analyzers perform in comparison to standard reference methods, (2) to identify the effects of sample matrix variations on the performance of FPXRF, (3) to determine the logistical and economic resources needed to operate FPXRF analyzers, and (4) to test and validate an SW-846 draft method for FPXRF analysis. The demonstration design was subjected to extensive review and comment by the EPA's National Exposure Research Laboratory, EPA Regional and Headquarters Superfund technical staff, the EPA's Office of Solid Waste-Methods Section, and the technology developers.
This demonstration found that the X-MET 920-P and 940 analyzers were generally simple to operate in the field. The operator required no specialized experience or training. Ownership and operation of this analyzer may require specific licensing by state nuclear regulatory agencies. There are special radiation safety training requirements and costs associated with this type of license. These analyzers can provide rapid, real-time analysis of the metals content of soil samples at hazardous waste sites. Either analyzer can quickly distinguish contaminated areas from non-contaminated areas, allowing investigation and remediation decisions to be made more efficiently on-site which may reduce the number of samples that need to be submitted for confirmatory analysis. The X-MET 920-P and 940 analyzers were found to be effective tools for field-based analysis of metals contamination in soil.