Analytical measurements of natural lead radiations

A review of the measurements of the natural radioactivity of lead is presented. Extensive measurements by the writer and others have shown that activity levels from 70 pCi 210Pb/g Pb down to essentially zero have been available from contemporary commercial sources. Spectroscopic studies of γ- and α-radiation have shown that the sole source of radiation was 210Pb and its decay products 210Bi and 210Po. Commercially available α- or β-radiation instrumentation may be used for measurements and a comparatively simple monitoring technique is recommended. (author)