Radiochemistry Capacity/Capability Development Expansion of Alpha or Beta Radionuclide Testing Capabilities

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SUMMARY (Overall) One of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency’s (IEMA) long term objectives is to strengthen the Agency’s collaboration with the FDA. It is hoped that this collaboration will allow IEMA to develop and enhance its radiological analyses of food capability while contributing to the national effort. In the event of a large scale nuclear or radiological incident, a high load of food samples will need to be analyzed and reported rapidly and accurately (Cunningham 2014). The food sample radiological results can then be used to help officials make well informed decisions/actions to protect public health (EPA 2017). It is IEMA’s objective to ready the Radiochemistry laboratory for just such an event. The laboratory is currently equipped and prepared for the analysis of foods for gamma emitting radionuclides. However, we lack the experience to screen foods for alpha and/or beta emitters and the Agency’s current liquid scintillation counters are at, or close to, the end of their serviceable life. IEMA is thus seeking support through this radiochemistry analytical development opportunity in conjunction with the FDA’s scientific expertise to assist in developing the Agency’s capability to screen foods for alpha and/or beta emitters. If the Agency is awarded this opportunity, collaboration with the FDA will be enhanced, through training and a face-to-face meetings. When completed, the Radiochemistry laboratory will demonstrate competency for screening alpha and/or beta emitters and will be ready for the call to participate in radiological national security exercises, surveillance testing activities and radiological incidents. As a member of the Food Emergency Response Network, the IEMA Radiochemistry laboratory proposes to expand the national alpha and beta analysis capacity though its request to purchase a PerkinElmer Quantulus GCT LSC 6220TR low activity liquid scintillation counter which includes alpha/beta discrimination software (PerkinElmer 2020). Within the one year project time, the Agency will procure, install, set-up and calibrate the instrument. The staff will train on the FDA selected method(s) in the analysis of food for alpha and beta- emitters using liquid scintillation counting. The method(s) will be validated followed by the successfully demonstration of competency in the validated method(s). IEMA management will support travel to send a selected staff members to attend the annual Laboratory Flexible Funding Model Face-to Face meeting. The project aims will be accomplished through Management’s emphasis on successfully expanding our radiological rapid emergency response analysis of foods, especially for non-gamma emitting radionuclides. This proposal is supported by the strength of the Radiochemistry laboratory’s staff experience and education and the availability of the newly remodeled and equipped wet chemistry laboratory. As noted above it is IEMA’s goal to be ready for the call to participate in radiological national security exercises, surveillance testing activities and radiological incidents.