Recent Bremsstrahlung-based assays of210Pb in lead and comments on current availability of low-background lead in North America.
Low-background lead for radiation measurement shielding is often assayed for210Pb to ensure acceptable backgrounds. Samples of lead assayed with a germanium spectrometer calibrated for bremsstrahlung-based assay of210Pb provide a view into the210Pb content of commercial lead in the U.S. (other than stockpiled Doe Run lead). Results suggest that the loss of lead smelting in the U.S. has eliminated the traditional supply of "low background" lead (~30Bqkg-1), and indicate current commercial supplies contain roughly an order of magnitude higher210Pb levels.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, MSIN J4-65, Richland, WA 99352, USA. Electronic address: martin.keillor@pnnl.gov.
Martin E
ME
Keillor
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, MSIN J4-65, Richland, WA 99352, USA.
C E
CE
Aalseth
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, MSIN J4-65, Richland, WA 99352, USA.
I J
IJ
Arnquist
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, MSIN J4-65, Richland, WA 99352, USA.
T A
TA
Eggemeyer
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, MSIN J4-65, Richland, WA 99352, USA.
E S
ES
Fuller
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, MSIN J4-65, Richland, WA 99352, USA.
B D
BD
Glasgow
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, MSIN J4-65, Richland, WA 99352, USA.
E W
EW
Hoppe
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, MSIN J4-65, Richland, WA 99352, USA.
S M
SM
Morley
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, MSIN J4-65, Richland, WA 99352, USA.
A W
AW
Myers
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, MSIN J4-65, Richland, WA 99352, USA.
J L
JL
Orrell
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, MSIN J4-65, Richland, WA 99352, USA.
C T
CT
Overman
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, MSIN J4-65, Richland, WA 99352, USA.
A
A
Seifert
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, MSIN J4-65, Richland, WA 99352, USA.
S M
SM
Shaff
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, MSIN J4-65, Richland, WA 99352, USA.
K S
KS
Thommasson
(210)Bi; (210)Pb; Bi-210; Bremsstrahlung; Gamma spectroscopy; Lead; Low background; Pb-210