Abstract: Through a series of comparative experiments and relvant data, experimental factors of total α and total β radioactivity in water using low-background α and β measuring system are discussed in this article. According to the standard curve method in the national standard, the experiments were carried out and the fitting results of curves were analyzed. The intertrack crosstalk experiments were performed using ²⁴¹Am and ⁴⁰K standard powder sources. In the end, factors which might influence sample counts were analyzed by thermoluminescence measuring system. The results show that the linear-fitting results of “mass thickness-net counting rate” curves are well to be used in experiments calculation. The intertrack crosstalk from channel α to channel β needs to be corrected in the measurement of water samples with high radioactivity. Finally, the samples should not be measured immediately after preparation, but should be stored in a dry environment with low background. After storage, the samples should be dried by infrared lamp for a long enough time and should be completely cooled before measurement.

Key words: total α radioactivity, total β radioactivity, standard curves, thermoluminescence measuring system