Introduction
Radioanalytical services are part of ARPANSA's Environmental and Health Services Section. We offer laboratory measurement services to assess radioactivity in food samples.
Description of service
We not only measure radioactivity in foods but work on improving and testing new methods for radioanalytical measurements. We also conduct research projects to study how much radioactivity is present in the environment and examine how this might affect public health. Testing is not limited to routine analyses, and we are happy to consider any customer request. Charges for these analyses are available on request.
Contract work
The section undertakes external project work for or in conjunction with other organisations. This work includes health impact assessments, radioanalytical work and environmental assessments. We are happy to consider any customer request.
Client information
To avoid delays in having your samples processed, you should check our client information page. It provides details on requirements, general guidelines, and a list of current charges.
Client feedback
Our laboratory welcomes any feedback or comments on our service: ras@arpansa.gov.au.
Routine tests
Accreditation
The analyses frequently conducted by Radioanalytical Services, accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), include the following:
- Environmental Samples:
- Gross alpha activity
- Gross beta activity
- Potassium-40
- Radium-226
- Radium-228
- Tritium
- Radon-222
- Lead-210.
- Food Samples:
- Caesium-134
- Caesium-137
- Ruthenium-103
- Iodine-131.
These analyses are detailed further in the full list below.
This facility complies with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. Our NATA accreditation number is 14442. Please refer to the NATA website for the full list of accredited services.
Full list of radioanalytical services
Below is a full list of the services we provide:
| Service | Product | Determinant | Technique |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environment | Water* | Alpha activity – Gross | Evaporation-liquid scintillation counting |
| Environment | Water* | Beta activity – Gross | Evaporation-liquid scintillation counting |
| Environment | Water* | Potassium-40 | Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) |
| Environment | Water* | Lead-210 | Liquid scintillation counting |
| Environment | Water* | Radium-226 | Liquid scintillation counting |
| Environment | Water* | Radium-228 | High resolution gamma spectrometry |
| Environment | Water* | Radon-222 | Liquid scintillation counting |
| Environment | Water* | Tritium | Liquid scintillation counting |
| Food and Beverages | Foods | Caesium-134, Caesium-137 and Ruthenium-103 | High resolution gamma spectrometry |
*Water includes: bore waters, drain waters, fresh waters, ground waters, irrigation and stock waters, liquid wastes, recycled waters, trade wastes and waste waters.
Major equipment
- Thirty six Canberra high resolution alpha spectrometer measurement chambers
- Two Canberra Tennelec 5XLB gas flow proportional counters
- Quantulus liquid scintillation counter
- Hidex liquid scintillation counter
- Quantulus GCT liquid scintillation counter
- Six high resolution gamma-ray spectrometers (20 – 54% relative efficiencies)
- Varian SpectrAA 55B atomic absorption spectrometer
- Milestone microwave digestion system, Ethos Pro
- Thermoline CO2 Incubator
- Freeze dryer
- Claisse LeNeo Fluxer
