Rapid instrumentation and separation methods for monitoring radionuclides in food and environmental samples

Radioactivity studies by the Ministry's (MAFF) Directorate of Fisheries Research at Lowestoft, England have continued as outlined in the Working Paper submitted at the first CRP in Warsaw, Poland during 4-8 September 1989. The principle aim is to measure the radioactive dose to man (using food as the indicator and investigating external pathways). Approximately 10,000 environmental samples are analysed each year for radioactive content (includes about 1200 biota and 400 water samples) and the results published in a comprehensive Report entitled 'Radioactivity in Surface and Coastal Waters of the British Isles'. Our radiometric systems continue to be improved and updated. The least-efficient (18.2%) GeLi gamma detector has been replaced with a pure Germanium detector (68%), and a low-level large-area beta counter (127mm) with automatic sample-changer and another 10-place alpha/beta counter have been purchased. The alpha radiometric suite has been extended to 128 detectors with the addition of an improved 16-detector module designed and constructed in-house. Also, the controlling computer hardware and software has been extended to enable greater flexibility, reliability and fuller integration with the gamma radiometric system (a new facility is the greater security of the data and the ability to control remotely an assigned bank of alpha detectors)