In environments where unsealed radioactive sources are present, monitoring radioactive contamination is essential to ensure the safety of personnel and the environment.

Radiation protection procedures require indirect measurements to assess surface and airborne contamination, providing reliable estimates of exposure and overall dose contribution. 

LB Servizi specializes in the detection, identification, and quantification of radioactive contamination, leveraging advanced techniques and state-of-the-art instrumentation to deliver precise and dependable results. 

Detection Methodologies

To ensure accurate analysis of radioactive contamination, LB Servizi applies a variety of detection methodologies. Each technique is designed to provide reliable and precise results and to support facilities in maintaining radiological safety.

Surface Contamination Measurement

Surface contamination can pose a significant risk if not properly monitored and managed. For this reason, LB Servizi employs the following methodologies:

• Smear test (wipe test): use of cellulose discs to collect removable surface contamination.
• High-resolution gamma spectrometry, enabling the identification and quantification of radionuclides responsible for contamination.

• Total alpha, beta, or gamma counting on cellulose discs collected via smear test, providing detailed measurements of radioactive activity on surfaces.

Airborne Contamination Measurement

Monitoring airborne contamination is essential for maintaining safe working environments. Our advanced techniques allow the detection and analysis of radioactive particulate through:

• Filter sampling, which enables the collection of airborne radioactive particulate for accurate measurement of contamination levels.

• Total alpha, beta, or gamma counting on cellulose filters used for air sampling, providing immediate evaluation of radioactivity.

• High-resolution gamma spectrometry, used to precisely identify radionuclides present in the air.

• Beta scintillation, used to detect specific isotopes such as tritium (³H) and other low-energy beta emitters.

Thanks to the integration of multiple measurement technologies and the expertise of our specialized personnel, we guarantee accurate and reliable results.

Applications

LB Servizi’s monitoring techniques are applied in various contexts to ensure safe and effective management of radioactive contamination. Our services are particularly useful for:

• Nuclear medicine departments, where it is essential to ensure the safety of healthcare personnel and patients.

• Radiometabolic therapy, to ensure proper management and disposal of radioactive materials.

• Radiopharmacy laboratories, where monitoring contamination in handling areas is crucial.

• Facilities handling unsealed radioactive sources, to ensure compliance with regulations and reduce the risk of accidental exposure.

Our analyses help identify contamination levels and support facilities in implementing safety and decontamination measures.

Instrumentation and Technical Specifications

To guarantee precise and reliable results, LB Servizi uses certified instrumentation and measurement methodologies compliant with international standards. Below are some of the main technical specifications of our detection tools:

Smear Test

• Reference Standard: UNI ISO 7503-2:2016
• Instrument Used: AT1329, Atomtex
• Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA):
  • Alpha: 0.045 Bq/cm²
  • Beta: 0.275 Bq/cm²

📌 Note: Some methods are not ACCREDIA-accredited.

NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials) are materials with a high content of natural radioactivity, found in raw natural substances or resulting from industrial processes. National regulations impose specific requirements to protect the health of workers and the public, governing activities that involve exposure risks.

LB Servizi provides comprehensive support for the management of NORM materials, ensuring full compliance with current regulations and safe industrial operations.

Regulated Activities

Legislation identifies several work processes in which exposure to NORM materials may pose a significant risk. The main regulated activities include:

• Phosphate mineral industry, including the production and trade of fertilizers.

• Extraction and processing of minerals, such as tin, iron-niobium from pyrochlore, and aluminum from bauxite.

• Processing of zircon sands and production of refractory materials.

• Rare earth industries and production of thorium compounds, including welding electrodes, optical lenses, and gas-lamp mantles.

• Production of titanium dioxide, used as an industrial pigment.

• Petroleum and natural gas extraction and refining.

Additionally, the Italian Legislative Decree 101/2020 identifies further activities, including:

• Groundwater filtration systems

• Geothermal energy production

• Coal-fired power plants (boiler maintenance)
• Cement production (clinker kiln maintenance)

• Primary iron production

All these activities require continuous monitoring and the adoption of protective measures to reduce exposure risks.

Regulatory Requirements and Risk Assessment

Current regulations mandate that any company working with NORM materials must evaluate exposure doses for workers and the public.
This assessment must be carried out by a Radiation Protection Expert, who determines action levels and identifies any corrective measures needed to keep exposure below safety limits.

If action levels are exceeded, the employer is required to implement mitigation measures to ensure a safe environment in compliance with regulatory provisions.

Complete Solutions for NORM Management

LB Servizi offers a turnkey service for the management of issues related to NORM materials. 

Leveraging our extensive experience and expertise, we support companies at every stage of the process, providing: 

• Specialized consulting and Radiation Protection Expert (RPE) services

• Direct interface with Competent Authorities, simplifying regulatory compliance

• Preparation and management of technical documentation required by legislation

• Sampling, measurements, and analyses for exposure and contamination assessment

• Intervention plans and decontamination strategies for the safe treatment of contaminated materials

The presence of radioactive substances in water intended for human consumption is regulated at the national level to ensure public health protection.
With the Ministerial Decree of 2 August 2017 (Official Gazette No. 212 of 11-09-2017), the Italian Ministry of Health established guidelines for the uniform application of Legislative Decree 28/2016, defining concentration limits and analytical methodologies for monitoring radioactivity in drinking water.

Thanks to its UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories, LB Servizi provides sampling, analysis, and certification services to ensure compliance with regulations and the safety of water intended for human use.

Radioactivity Control in Water

Monitoring activities are conducted in accordance with the control plans prepared by the responsible authorities.
The main analyses include:

• Determination of Radon-222 (²²²Rn) and Tritium (³H) concentrations
• Measurement of the indicative dose through total alpha and beta activity

Advanced Analyses in Case of Anomalies

When anomalies are detected or upon specific request, more in-depth investigations are carried out on specific radionuclides, including:

• Strontium-90 (⁹⁰Sr)
• Radium-226 (²²⁶Ra)
• Uranium-234 (²³⁴U), Uranium-235 (²³⁵U), Uranium-238 (²³⁸U)
• Polonium-210 (²¹⁰Po)
• Plutonium-238 (²³⁸Pu) and Plutonium-239/240 (²³⁹/²⁴⁰Pu)

These analyses are essential to ensure compliance with safety parameters established by current legislation.

Compliance Obligations for Water Network Operators and Companies

The regulation requires the monitoring of drinking water distribution networks by:

• Aqueduct and water utility operators
• Food and paper industries
• Bottling plants for mineral water

Controls may be carried out directly by service providers or by external accredited laboratories.
Any laboratory performing analyses must be ACCREDIA-accredited in accordance with UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17025.

As an accredited laboratory, LB Servizi guarantees reliable, precise, and regulation-compliant analyses.

Advanced Analysis Technologies and Instrumentation

LB Servizi uses state-of-the-art equipment to ensure maximum precision in water radioactivity analyses. Key technologies include:

• Ultra-low background detection system with TDCR (Triple-to-Double Coincidence Ratio) technology, which minimizes environmental background signals and enables detection of extremely low activities.
• Online platform for consulting results and downloading test reports.

Technical Specifications of Analyses

Determination of Radon-222 (²²²Rn) Concentration

• Reference Standard: ISO 13164-4:2015
• Instrument: HIDEX 300SL
• Liquid Scintillator: Opti-Fluor O, Perkin Elmer
• Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA): 1 Bq/L

Determination of Tritium (³H) Concentration

• Reference Standard: UNI EN ISO 9698:2019
• Instrument: HIDEX 300SL
• Liquid Scintillator: Ultima Gold AB, Perkin Elmer
• Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA): 10 Bq/L

Determination of Alpha and Beta-Emitting Radionuclide Concentration

• Reference Standard: UNI EN ISO 11704:2019
• Instrument: HIDEX 300SL
• Liquid Scintillator: Ultima Gold AB, Perkin Elmer
• Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA):
  • Alpha: 0.04 Bq/L
  • Beta: 0.2 Bq/L

Determination of Radium-226 (²²⁶Ra) Concentration

• Reference Standard: ISO 13165-1:2013
• Instrument: HIDEX 300SL
• Liquid Scintillator: Opti-Fluor O, Perkin Elmer
• Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA): 0.04 Bq/L