Proficiency testing schemes on determination of radioactivity in food and environmental samples organized by the NAEA, Poland

Participation in the interlaboratory comparisons (ILC) and PT schemes is an important tool to assess the laboratory competence. It allows also improving the quality of laboratory routine work and comparing its results with those of other laboratories. It can be also used to verify reliability of the data produced by a laboratory and provide confidence in measurement results to the users of laboratory services. The INCT has been involved in conducting PTs on the determination of selected man-made radionuclides since 2004. The PTs were conducted on the request of the NAEA what is required by the Polish law [1]. The aim of these PTs was to demonstrate the performance of the radiochemical laboratories which create the radiation monitoring network in Poland. Eleven leading laboratories involved in the radioactive contamination measurements in Poland participated in PTs. The PTs were provided in accordance with ISO/IEC Guide 43-1:1997 [3] and the IUPAC harmonized protocol [11]. The activity concentration of the following radionuclides: 241Am, 137Cs, 3H, 239Pu, 226Ra and 90Sr were determined in water, milk powder, wheat flour and soil. The test materials were prepared by spiking blank materials with standard solution of the radionuclide of interest. The activity concentrations were calculated by formulation from the quantities used. Associated uncertainties were evaluated from the standard uncertainties of the Proficiency testing schemes on determination of radioactivity in food and environmental samples organized by the NAEA, Poland Halina Polkowska-Motrenko, Leon Fuks