Applications of neutron activation analysis to environmental and biomedical studies

The field of neutron activation analysis (NAA) has expanded significantly in the past decade, with the number of publications increasing from approximately 100 to more than 1000 per year. This phenomenon correlates with the greater availability of useful neutron sources, improvements in gamma-ray spectrometry equipment, and a rapid increase in successful NAA applications. A significant number of applications have been in the biomedical and environmental fields, especially in cases where elements must be measured at ultra-trace levels.