Detection limits for radionuclides in the analysis of multi-component gamma ray spectrometer data

Radionuclide (226Ra, 232Th, 40K) accumulation among plant species in mangrove ecosystems of Pattani Bay, Thailand

Little is known regarding phytoremediation of radionuclides from soil; even less is known about radionuclide contamination and removal in tropical ecosystems such as mangrove forests. In mangrove forests in Pattani Bay, Thailand, 18 plant species from 17 genera were evaluated for radionuclide concentrations within selected plant parts. Two shrub species, Avicennia marina and Pluchea indica, accumulated the highest ²³²Th (24.6Bqkg^-1) and ⁴⁰K (220.7Bqkg^-1) activity concentrations in roots, respectively. Furthermore, the aquatic species Typha angustifolia accumulated highest ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K and ²²⁶Ra activity concentrations (85.2, 363.5, 16.6Bqkg^-1, respectively) with the highest transfer factors (TFs) (3.0, 2.0, 5.9, respectively) in leaves. Leaves of T. angustifolia had an absorbed dose rate in air (D) over the recommended value (74.8nGyh^-1) that was considered sufficiently high to be of concern for human consumption.

Permeability of gloves used in nuclear medicine departments to [(99m)Tc]-pertechnetate and [(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose: radiation protection considerations

In order to evaluate the safety of the individual protection devices, the permeability of four different types of disposable gloves, commonly used in hospitals, was tested in relation to [(99m)Tc]-pertechnetate and to [(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose ([(18)F]-FDG). From these radiopharmaceutical solutions, a drop was deposited on the external surface of the glove which was opened and stretched with the external surface placed upward. The smear test technique permitted to evaluate the activity onto the inner surface of the glove at different times. The smear tests were measured in a well sodium iodide detector calibrated in efficiency for (99m)Tc and (18)F. The permeability was tested on ten samples of each type of gloves and was expressed as the ratio of the activity onto the inner surface at each time interval to the activity deposited on the external surface of the glove. For each type of gloves and for each sampling time, mean value, standard deviation and percentage coefficient of variation of permeability were evaluated. One type of gloves showed a low resistance to permeation of both radiopharmaceuticals, while another one only to pertechnetate. The other gloves were good performers. The results of this study suggest to test permeability for gloves used for handling radiopharmaceuticals, before their adoption in the clinical routine. This practice will provide a more careful service of radiation protection for nuclear medicine department staff.

Development of a framework of quality assurance practices for a radon passive dosemeter service

Etched track detectors are widely used for the detection of radon and its decay products. The reliability of radon measurement performed with such devices requires that laboratories producing analytical data are able to provide results of the required quality. The need for uniform results from laboratories at an international level therefore requires the implementation of a quality assurance programme, the harmonization of criteria, sampling procedures, calculations and the reporting of results, agreed on the basis of fundamental principles and international standards. The quality assurance programme described here is the first step on the way to ISO/IEC 17025 certification for the RI-RN (ISPESL) laboratory.

Instrumental nuclear activation analysis (INAA) characterization of environmental air filter samples

Nuclear techniques have been used in quantitations of environmental pollutants, and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) has turned out to be particularly useful in the analysis of airborne suspended particles. This work describes the INAA characterization of the particulate material in the environmental samples obtained in a monitoring campaign in Mexico City's Metropolitan Area. As the types of the irradiation facilities and gamma-ray detection system impose some limitations on the possibilities of INAA analysis, the actual experimental conditions at Gamma Spectroscopy Laboratory, where the analysis was performed, had been assessed. The facilities had been found suitable for the analysis of samples from this campaign, in which 22 elements were determined.