XRF Technology in the Field

XRF Technology for

Non-scientists
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Table of Contents
What is XRF?
1 Overview...........................................................................................................................................................................................3
How XRF Works.................................................................................................................................................................................4
The X-ray Fluorescence Process.........................................................................................................................................................6
The Periodic Table............................................................................................................................................................................. 7
List of Periodic Table Elements........................................................................................................................................................... 8
Interpretation of XRF Spectra..............................................................................................................................................................9
Examples of an XRF Spectra...............................................................................................................................................................10
Rayleigh/Compton Scatter Peaks........................................................................................................................................................11
Limitations........................................................................................................................................................................................ 12
Calibration........................................................................................................................................................................................ 13

XRF Analyzers in the Field: Technology

2 Overview...........................................................................................................................................................................................14
Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence................................................................................................................................................ 15
Detection of X-Rays........................................................................................................................................................................... 16
Strengths.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 18
General Use Guidelines...................................................................................................................................................................... 19

XRF Analyzers in the Field: Applications

3 Metal Alloy Analysis, Identification and Testing.....................................................................................................................................21
Mining/Geology................................................................................................................................................................................. 25
Toys/Consumer Goods ......................................................................................................................................................................27
Environmental Analysis/Remediation...................................................................................................................................................28
Art and Archaeometry....................................................................................................................................................................... 30

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Overview
X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)
XRF occurs when a fluorescent (or secondary) x-ray is emitted from a sample that is
being excited by a primary x-ray source. Because this fluorescence is unique to the
elemental composition of the sample, XRF is an excellent technology for qualitative

1 and quantitative analysis of the material composition. XRF spectrometry has a broad
range of applications in industry, which we will discuss later in this ebook.

What is XRF?
X-rays
X-rays are simply light waves that
we can’t see. Other light waves that Properties of X-Rays
X-ray fluorescence (XRF):
a non-destructive analytical
X-rays Are:
we can’t see include ultraviolet (UV)
technique used to determine the • Propagated in straight lines at speed of light
chemical composition of materials. light (which gives you a sun tan), • Absorbed while passing through matter,
infrared light (which warms you up), depending on composition and density
of the substance
and radio waves. X-rays have a very • Emitted with energies characteristic of
short wavelength, which the elements present

corresponds to a very high energy. They:

• Affect the electrical properties of
liquids and solids
• Cause biological reactions such as cell
damage or genetic mutation
• Darken photographic plates
• Ionize gases

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How XRF Works

Fingerprints
Each of the elements present in a sample produces a unique set of
characteristic x-rays that is a “fingerprint” for that specific element.

It All Starts With the Atom

Atoms are the extremely small particles of which we, and everything around us, are made. There
are 92 naturally occurring elements and scientists have made more, bringing the total to 114
confirmed and at least 4 more claimed. Atoms are the smallest unit of an element that
chemically behaves the same way the element does.

Atoms bond
with other atoms to
form a molecule. If two
hydrogen atoms bonded with
an oxygen atom, they
would form a WATER
molecule.

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How XRF Works NOT a c

is is i
Anatomy of the Atom*
T h rcl
In the center of the atom is the nucleus, made up of protons and neutrons. e
Each proton carries a positive electrical charge, but neutrons carry no electrical

!
charge, so the nucleus of an atom is positively charged because of its protons.

Electrons are particles that orbit the nucleus at a high speed and carry a negative
charge, which balances the positive electrical charge of the protons in the nucleus.
Since the total negative charge of electrons is equal to the positive charge of the
nucleus, an atom is neutral.

The negative electrons are attracted to the positive protons, so the electrons stay K
around the nucleus in discrete shells.
L
When two chemicals react with each other, the reaction takes place between
individual atoms at the atomic level. The outermost or covalent electrons are
The electrons
reside in discrete
M
quanta or shells, and
involved in this bonding. these shells are labeled
K, L, M, N, from
N
inner to outer.
The processes that cause materials to be radioactive occur at the atomic Atoms are not really combined of
concentric circles of electrons...
level, generally within the nucleus.
we just draw them that way to
understand how the electrons
orbit around the nucleus.

thermoscientific.com/XRF *this section site reference: http://www.epa.gov/radiation/understand/atom.html 5

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The X-Ray Fluorescence Process

A solid or a liquid sample is irradiated

1 with high energy x-rays from a controlled

x-ray tube.

When an atom in the sample is struck

2 with an x-ray of sufficient energy (greater

than the atom’s K or L shell binding energy),
an electron from one of the atom’s inner
orbital shells is dislodged.

The atom regains stability, filling the

3 vacancy left in the inner orbital shell with

an electron from one of the atom’s higher
energy orbital shells.

The electron drops to the lower energy

4 state by releasing a fluorescent x-ray.

The energy of this x-ray is equal to
the specific difference in energy between
two quantum states of the electron. The
measurement of this energy is the basis of
XRF analysis.

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The Periodic Table

What is an Element?
Number An element is a chemically pure substance composed of atoms.
of protons = 1 2
Atomic Number Elements are the fundamental materials of which all matter is composed.
(different for each H He
element). 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Number The elements are arranged in increasing order of their atomic
of electrons Li Be B C N O F Ne
typically = number weight (the number of protons in the nucleus of an atom).
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
of protons (so
that the atom is Na Mg Al Si P S Cl Ar
neutral). 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34
Number 35 36
of neutrons K Ca Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn Ga Ge As Se Br Kr
is variable and is what
allows some atoms to 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54
have isotopes. Rb Sr Y Zr Nb Mo Tc Ru Rh Pd Ag Cd In Sn Sb Te I Xe
55 56 57 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86
Cs Ba *La Hf Ta W Re Os Ir Pt Au Hg TI Pb Bi Po At Rn
87 88 89 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116
Electrons in shells
closest to the nucleus are Fr Ra +Ac Rf Ha Sg Ns Hs Mt Ds Rg Cn 113 Fl 115 Lv
most strongly bound to the atom.
Binding energy increases with
atomic number. The higher 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71

the number, the higher Ce Pr Nd Pm Sm Eu Gd Tb Dy Ho Er Tm Yb Lu

the weight. 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103
Th Pa U Np Pu Am Cm Bk Cf Es Fm Md No Lr
An isotope of an element has the
same number of protons but a
different number of neutrons. Did you know?
The Periodic Table was created in 1869 by Dmitry I. Mendeleev.

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List of Periodic Table Elements

1 Hydrogen H
21 Scandium Sc 41 Niobium Nb
61 Promethium Pm
81 Thallium Tl 101 Mendelevium Md
2 Helium He
22 Titanium Ti 42 Molybdenum Mo
62 Samarium Sm
82 Lead Pb 102 Nobelium No

3 Lithium Li
23 Vanadium V 43 Technetium Tc
63 Europium Eu
83 Bismuth Bi
103 Lawrencium Lr

4 Beryllium Be 24 Chromium Cr 44 Ruthenium Ru
64 Gadolinium Gd
84 Polonium Po
104 Rutherfordium Rf

5 Boron B
25 Manganese Mn 45 Rhodium Rh
65 Terbium Tb
85 Astatine At
105 Dubnium Db

6 Carbon C
26 Iron Fe 46 Palladium Pd
66 Dysprosium Dy
86 Radon Rn 106 Seaborgium Sg

7 Nitrogen N 27 Cobalt Co 47 Silver Ag
67 Holmium Ho
87 Francium Fr
107 Bohrium Bh

8 Oxygen O
28 Nickel Ni 48 Cadmium Cd
68 Erbium Er
88 Radium Ra 
108 Hassium Hs

9 Fluorine F 29 Copper Cu 49 Indium In
69 Thulium Tm
89 Actinium Ac 109 Meitnerium Mt

10 Neon Ne
30 Zinc Zn 50 Tin Sn
70 Ytterbium Yb
90 Thorium Th
110 Darmstadtium Ds
11 Sodium Na
31 Gallium Ga 51 Antimony Sb
71 Lutetium Lu
91 Protactinium Pa 111 Roentgenium Rg
12 Magnesium Mg
32 Germanium Ge 52 Tellurium Te
72 Hafnium Hf
92 Uranium U 112 Copernicium Cn
13 Aluminum Al
33 Arsenic As 53 Iodine I 73 Tantalum Ta
93 Neptunium Np
113 Ununtrium 113
14 Silicon Si
34 Selenium Se 54 Xenon Xe
74 Tungsten W 94 Plutonium Pu
114 Flerovium Fl
15 Phosphorus P
35 Bromine Br 55 Cesium Cs
75 Rhenium Re
95 Americium Am
115 Ununpentium 115
16 Sulfur S
36 Krypton Kr 56 Barium Ba
76 Osmium Os
96 Curium Cm
116 Livermorium Lv
17 Chlorine Cl
37 Rubidium Rb 57 Lanthanum La
77 Iridium Ir
97 Berkelium Bk

18 Argon Ar
38 Strontium Sr 58 Cerium Ce
78 Platinum Pt
98 Californium Cf

19 Potassium K
39 Yttrium Y 59 Praseodymium Pr
79 Gold Au
99 Einsteinium Es

20 Calcium Ca
40 Zirconium Zr 60 Neodymium Nd 80 Mercury Hg 100 Fermium Fm

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Interpretation of XRF Spectra

Spectral Peaks
As we learned in the previous pages, each of the elements
present in a sample produces a set of characteristic
fluorescent x-rays that is unique for that specific element,
which is why XRF spectroscopy is especially useful for Primary
elemental analysis. This elemental “fingerprint” is best
Pt
X-ray Radiation Au
illustrated by examining the x-ray energy spectrum and its
“scattering peaks.” Au
Pt Au
Pt
Most atoms have several electron orbitals (K shell, L shell,
M shell, for example). When x-ray energy causes electrons
to transfer in and out of these shell levels, XRF peaks with
varying intensities are created and will be present in the
spectrum. The peak energy identifies the element, and the
peak height / intensity is indicative of its
concentration.

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Examples of an XRF Spectra

14k Gold (Au) Chain Gold (Au) Plated Replica
2011 American Buffalo Coin
4500

1600
4000
Au L lines Cu
1400

Cu 3500

1200
3000

1000
2500

800
2000

600
1500

400 Zn Ag Zn
1000

Au
200 500

0 0
5 7 9 11 13 15Energy keV 17 19 21 23 25 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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Rayleigh/Compton Scatter Peaks

Overview hv Compton Scattering
Scattering occurs when incoming x-rays do not In Compton scattering, the x-ray strikes an electron of the
produce fluorescence, but rather “collide” with sample. Since some energy is transferred to the electron in
the atoms of the sample which results in a hv the collision, the x-ray leaves the collision with less energy.
change in the direction of motion of a particle. That’s why we see the Compton peak at an energy lower
than the source excitation energy.
Rayleigh Scattering
e1
In Rayleigh scattering, electromagnetic radiation is dispersed
hv1
by particles having a radius less than approximately 1/10 the e

wavelength of the radiation.

hv

During the Rayleigh scattering process, photons are scattered by tightly bound electrons in which
the atom is neither ionized nor excited. The incident photons are scattered with (essentially) an
unchanged energy. Rayleigh scattering occurs mostly at low energies and for high atomic weight.

Rayleigh scattering can be compared

to the cue ball (the incoming x-ray) bouncing
off the side of the table without loss of energy.
Did you know?
Rayleigh scattering is named after the British physicist
Lord Rayleigh, who discovered the process.

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Limitations
Overview Spectral Effects
Light elements analysis with handheld XRF can Some elements have lines that overlap other elements. Fortunately the software will strip out and correct most
be challenging because the fluorescent x-rays of these overlaps (as long as the interfering element is in the mode being used), but limits of detection may be
from lighter elements (Z<18) are less energetic worse when 2 overlapping elements are present.
and are greatly attenuated as the x-rays pass
through air. Also, sample preparation is highly
Matrix Effects
recommended. The matrix is any other element present in or on the sample other than the 1 element being considered.
Enhancement and absorption effects are typically taken care of in the software if you are using a fundamental
parameters based calibration with all the necessary elements present.

Enhancement Effects
Some fluorescent x-rays have more energy than the binding energy of other elements present in
the sample, and so their energy will excite those other elements. These elements will give a
greater signal return to the detector, i.e. “enhancing” the reading.

Absorption Effects
The fluorescent x-ray does not reach the detector as it is scattered or absorbed by other elements
present in the sample, so the signal is weaker.

Sample Effects
The surface of the material being analyzed is not representative of the entire sample (particle size,
inhomogeneity, surface contamination, etc.). XRF is a surface analysis technique, so inhomogeneity
or contamination will skew the results.

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Calibration
Overview
Most handheld analyzers are pre-calibrated for immediate out-of-the-box analysis for a wide range of uses. Common calibration routines include the following:

Fundamental Parameters Compton Normalization Empirical Calibration

For measuring samples of unknown chemical Compton Normalization (CN) is a calibration In empirical calibration, the user must first
composition in which concentrations of light and technique that works well for a narrow range of analyze known samples to obtain the count
heavy elements may vary from parts per million sample types, basically soil samples that contain intensity, which is then plotted using off-line
(ppm) to high percent levels, Fundamental less than 5% of all elements Z > 23 (summing software to generate the calibration curve. This
Parameters (FP) analysis is used to them together). It relies on using the ratio of curve data is then put back onto the analyzer
simultaneously compensate for a wide variety the element peak to the Compton scatter peak, which can then be run to give immediate results.
of geometric effects (including small and which gives a measure of density of the sample, Empirical testing modes are only suited for
odd-shaped samples), plus x-ray absorption and and is ideal for the analysis of low measuring samples for which chemical
enhancement effects as well as spectral concentrations of heavy metals such as Lead compositions will fall within the narrow
overlaps. FP is the preferred analysis tool for (Pb) and Copper (Cu) (and other RCRA elements) calibration range, and interferences (spectral
mining and exploration, plastics analysis, at contamination sites. and matrix) must be taken into consideration
precious metals analysis and all metal alloy within the calibration.
testing applications.

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Overview
2 Portable XRF Analyzers
Handheld and portable XRF analyzers have become the standard for non-destructive
elemental analysis in a wide range of applications. These systems are routinely used

XRF Analyzers for rapid quality control inspection and analysis to ensure product chemistry
specifications are met. Lightweight and easy to use, these instruments provide instant

in the Field:
analysis in any field environment.

Since the late 1960s, portable XRF technology has evolved through seven generations

Technology of increasingly sophisticated analyzers. Each succeeding generation has added new
capabilities, such as smaller size, increased speed, better performance, and greater
ease of use. Today’s portable XRF analyzers are miniaturized and designed for ultra
high speed with lab-quality performance.

Thermo ScientificTM NitonTM Analyzers Timeline:

2000: 2002:
XL-II XLi, XLp, XLt

1993:
XL

2007: 2009: 2011: 2012:

XL3t XL2 FXL DXL

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Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence

EDXRF
EDXRF is the technology commonly used in portable analyzers. EDXRF instrumentation separates
the characteristic x-rays of different elements into a complete fluorescence energy spectrum
which is then processed for qualitative or quantitative analysis.

EDXRF technology is a convenient way to screen all kinds of materials for quick
identification and quantification of elements from Magnesium (Mg) to Uranium (U).
EDXRF instruments may be either handheld or portable depending on user preference,
making them the perfect tool for in-field analysis, and providing instant feedback to
the user without the long trip to the laboratory. Low cost of ownership and rapid
elemental analysis of any sample type make EDXRF an attractive front-end analysis tool.

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Detection of X-Rays
Detectors
In order to “read” fluorescent x-rays to accurately and nondestructively
determine elements present in a given sample - they must be detected,
thus the detector is an important part of any kind of XRF instrumentation.
When the characteristic x-rays enter the detector, their
electromagnetic energies are converted to electrical pulses. These pulses
then are sorted into element channels in a Digital Signal Processor (DSP).
Next, the “counts” from each element are sent to the microprocessor,
which contains the algorithms for calculating the concentration of each
element from the count rate data.
Detector

Front of
Instrument

Sample
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Detection of X-Rays
There are 2 main types of detectors in handheld XRF technology:

Silicon Drift
Detectors (SDDs)
The introduction of silicon drift detectors (SDD)
into handheld XRF instruments has produced
significant performance improvements over
traditional XRF capabilities. SDDs are
high-resolution detectors that can be used in
high count-rate applications. The larger the PIN Detectors
active area of the detector, the more efficiently A high-performance, high-resolution technology
it can gather and process x-ray counts. XRF conventionally used in handheld and portable
instrumentation employing SDD can be used in XRF instrumentation and appropriate for
applications that require extreme numerous industry applications. PIN Detectors
sensitivity, such as the detection of tramp measure the fluorescence radiation emitted from
elements in alloys that can degrade their the sample after it has been irradiated, usually
performance. Residual elements can be by an x-ray tube (occasionally by a radioactive
measured with a confidence once only possible source). Instruments with Silicon PIN detectors
in the lab. SDD’s are also required to are sensitive to X-rays that are higher on the
analyze light elements such as Magnesium (Mg), periodic table than Sulfur (S) and tend to be less
Aluminium (Al), Silicon (Si), Phosphorus (P) and expensive than instruments with Silicon Drift
Sulfur (S). Detectors.

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Strengths
Overview
Portable handheld XRF analyzers are lightweight, easy to handle and can be operated
Nondestructive
with minimal training. They provide elemental analysis anytime, anywhere, in seconds
rather than the hours or days it can take for a traditional testing laboratory.

Accurate Results

Easy to Use Instant Results

Lightweight Portable

Cost-Effective Used Onsite

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General Use Guidelines

Radiation
The analyzer emits a directed radiation beam when the tube is energized (tube based
instrument) or when the shutter is open (isotope based instrument). Reasonable effort should be
made to maintain exposures to radiation as far below dose limits as is practical. This is known as
the ALARA (As Low as Reasonably Achievable) principle. For any given source of radiation, three
factors will help minimize your radiation exposure:

Time Distance Shielding

Radioactive material is considered a hazardous material (HAZMAT) for the purposes
of transport. This means that the transportation of a portable XRF device containing
radioactive sources is regulated.

Did you know?

While the radiation emitted from a portable XRF analyzer
is similar to the exposure received in a normal medical or
dental x-ray, care must be taken to always point a
handheld XRF analyzer directly at the sample
and never at a person or a body part.

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3
Metal Alloy Analysis, Mining/Geology
Identification and Testing

XRF Analyzers
in the Field:
Applications Handheld and portable x-ray fluorescence
Toys/Consumer Goods

(XRF) analyzers have many applications

for elemental analysis. Here are a few
industries putting XRF technology to work
in daily operations.

Environmental Analysis/ Art and Archaeometry

Remediation

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Metal Alloy Analysis, Identification and Testing

Scrap Metal Recycling
Scrap metal recycling has become big business, but globalized trade in scrap metal,
alloy stock and finished products have increased the costs of alloy mix-ups to
suppliers, distributors and industrial consumers.

The exact chemical composition of scrap, including the existence of contaminants or

hazardous elements, must be determined for quality, safety and regulatory
compliance.

Scrap metal recyclers use handheld XRF to positively identify numerous alloys, rapidly
analyze their chemical composition at material transfer points and guarantee the
quality of their product to their customers.

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Metal Alloy Analysis, Identification and Testing

Positive Material Identification (PMI)
Wrong or out-of-specification metal alloys can lead to premature and potentially
catastrophic part failures. Accidents within the refining and aerospace industries, for
example, can happen when critical parts are made from the wrong metal alloy, or from
a material that does not meet specifications.

The process of inspecting and

analyzing individual component
materials is called positive material
identification (PMI). Portable XRF
analyzers are indispensible tools for
performing PMI of incoming raw
materials, work in progress, and
final quality assurance of finished parts.

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Metal Alloy Analysis, Identification and Testing

Precious Metals & Jewelry Analysis
Portable XRF analyzers are ideal for the retail environment. Many jewelers and pawn shops are
using these instruments to test the purity and composition of precious metals. XRF quickly
provides the exact percentages of all elements within an item – easily identifying non-standard,
under-karated, and even sophisticated counterfeit precious metals that acid testing is incapable
of differentiating.

Did you know?

A karat is a unit of measure that
describes the purity of gold alloys.

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Metal Alloy Analysis, Identification and Testing

Metal Fabrication; Quality Assurance & Control
Material verification for alloy quality assurance and alloy quality control (QA/QC) are critical to product
safety. The potential for material mix-ups and the need for traceability are a concern at every step in the metal
fabrication and manufacturing process. Handheld XRF is used for inspection of incoming raw material to verify
the alloy grade and composition prior to product manufacture. It is also used for final quality inspection before
finished parts are sent to the customer. This “double-check” process helps ensure that the incoming raw
materials and the outgoing finished parts meet the expected engineering requirements.

Watch a video about Chip Ganassi Racing

and how they use the Thermo ScientificTM
NitonTM XL3t GOLDD+ Handheld XRF
analyzer.

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Mining/Geology
Overview Exploration
Sample analysis with handheld XRF offers a substantial advantage in mining XRF analyzers quickly deliver exploration data
operations by providing immediate feedback for quick decision making on site: for quantitative geochemical analysis of metal
concentrations for mine mapping.
• Whether to stop or continue drilling
• When to make equipment relocation decisions
• Where to focus on the grid
• When to select a sample for laboratory analysis.

Real-time analysis with handheld XRF analyzers is also a good way to prequalify
samples for off-site lab analysis to ensure only the best samples are evaluated.

Portable handheld analyzers can be operated virtually anywhere on site and easily
accommodate a wide variation of samples, with little or no sample preparation.

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Mining/Geology

Production Mine Site Industrial Oil & Gas

and Mineral Analysis and Minerals Exploration
Processing Extraction Evaluation XRF analyzers are valuable for
Fast, laboratory-grade sample Send data to quarry laboratory and XRF analyzers can be used for upstream exploration and
analysis data for process control, operations management personnel in-quarry exploration and evaluating production, offering rapid, on-site
quality assurance and other for easy collaboration and informed the composition of raw materials chemical analysis of rocks, cuttings,
operational decisions. decisions. such as phosphate, potash, gypsum and cores that can be used for
and limestone for industrial use. identifying formations and
determining mineral composition of
the rock. Users can infer
mineralogical properties favorable
to oil and gas production from data
collected in real time.

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Toys/Consumer Goods
Overview
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008 was signed into
law to combat the alarming amounts of lead found in children’s toys. Now consumer
goods such as toys, apparel, jewelry, cosmetics and furniture are routinely screened
using XRF analyzers.

Worldwide Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) regulations continue to impact

the manufacturers of electrical and electronic goods and their supply chains...as do
the halogen-free initiatives. Handheld XRF analyzers help enforcement agencies
screen goods for mercury, lead and other harmful materials.

Did you know?

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) and Europe’s
PROSAFE (Product Safety) use XRF analyzers
for screening toys and consumer goods.

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Environmental Analysis/Remediation
Overview
From hazardous site modeling and risk assessment to on-site contaminant screening and lead
paint abatement, handheld XRF analyzers provide on-site analysis of environmental contaminants.

Lead Paint Inspection

Government regulations, such as the U.S. EPA-issued Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule,
mandate lead-safe work practices for contractors performing renovations. XRF analyzers provide
conclusive results for lead in samples associated with the abatement and control of lead-based
paint for compliance with RRP and other state and federal requirements.

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Environmental Analysis/Remediation
Soil
Industrial and agricultural sites can become contaminated with lead, arsenic, cadmium,
chromium, and other toxic metals. The first remedial step in treating these hazardous areas is
accurately assessing the scope and extent of the pollutants in the soil. XRF analyzers provide
lab-grade performance in the field, permitting surgical delineation of contamination boundaries
while in full compliance with US EPA Method 6200.

Did you know? Thermo ScientificTM NitonTM XL3t GOLDD+

Regulatory agencies such as the Handheld XRF analyzer highlighted in USA
U.S. EPA use XRF analyzers. TODAY “Ghost Factories” investigation of
contaminated soils.

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Art and Archaeometry

Overview
XRF analyzers can collect quantitative elemental data from archaeological samples. This data
can be used to match pigments and other materials for restoration, help identify how objects
have been preserved in the past, how to better conserve them for the future, glean important
clues to the age of petroglyphs, identify alloys and other materials, and help authenticate a variety
of art and artifacts.

Did you know?

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation
Act (NAGPRA) requires that Native American cultural
artifacts be returned to lineal descendants or affiliated
tribes. XRF technology can be used to evaluate these
objects for the presence of arsenic or other harmful
preservatives before they are returned.

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Debbie Schatzlein, MRSC, is a Senior Applications Chemist within the R&D

department for Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments, based in
Tewksbury, MA, USA. She was born and educated in England but has made
Massachusetts her home for over 20 years.

Debbie has been practicing chemistry over 35 years in a variety of environments,

including R&D laboratories, 24/7 foundry operations and a variety of instrument
manufacturers. She has specialized in atomic spectroscopy, particularly ICP,
arc-spark OES and XRF; with the last 12 years focused on improving handheld XRF
instrumentation and making it easier to use in the field. She has traveled around the

About the Author world to train users on how to get the best out of their instruments.

Debbie Schatzlein Debbie is the only woman to have served as President of the
U.S. Section of the Royal Society of Chemistry, which
serves several thousand members within the USA.

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