ALS Europe - Radiochemistry (ALS Ceska Lipa)
May 8, 2018
Continuing our ALS Europe focused news stories, we would like to take this opportunity to share our Radiochemistry capabilities at ALS Ceska Lipa.
The department for Radiochemistry and Radioanalytics of ALS Life Sciences based in the Czech Republic, and also the laboratory in Sweden, is responsible for carrying out analysis designed to detect radioactive elements in a variety of sample matrices.
Radiochemistry is mainly the study of both natural and man-made radioisotopes (radionuclides). All chemical elements have radioisotopes. Even the lightest element, Hydrogen, has a well-known radioisotope, Tritium. Those elements heavier than Bismuth exist only as radioactive isotopes. All radioisotopes are unstable isotopes of the element.
Radioactivity, also known as radioactive decay, is a spontaneous change of nuclei of unstable nuclides to other nuclei, during this radioactive radiation is emitted. The main types of radiation formed during radioactive decay are known as alpha (α), beta (β) or gamma (γ). Basic screenings are available and consist of gross α activity, gross β activity, K-40, Tritium and Rn-222. Complementary monitoring can also be requested where natural isotopes and artificial radionuclides can be detected.
For a summary of the Radioactivity Testing offered by ALS Europe, please click here
Radiological analysis can be performed in the following areas:
- Drinking Water
- WHO guidelines
- EU Directive
- Country-specific guidelines/legislation.
- Gross Alpha & Beta Activity, Tritium and Radon. Nuclide Specific Analyses and Total Indicative Dose (K-40, U-238, U-235 and Ra-226 and others)
- Food & Feed Industry
- Euratom legislation (Cs-134, Cs-137, I-131, Pu-239 and Pu-240, Am-241, Sr-90)
- Customs Union technical regulation (Cs-137, Sr-90)
Environment
- Natural radionuclides (NORM) and man-made radionuclides
- Soil and subsoil, peat and sediment
- Surface, ground and spa waters
- Monitoring of biomass, flora, fauna and bio-indicators
- Industrial sectors
- Building materials (Ra-226, Th-228, K-40)
- Mining materials
- Metals foundry and processing
- Refractory materials
- Coal and coal ash
- Fertilisers
- Wastewater treatment sludge
- Tartar and sludge - petroleum and gas industry
- Harbour and rivers dredged materials
- Monitoring of the vicinity of nuclear facilities
For further reading, please click here
To find out more about Radiochemistry analysis, to request a quotation or for any other enquiry, please contact us or call the Customer Services Team on 02476 421 213.
