Proficiency test for clearance mixed-nuclide samples.

In 2010, the National Radiation Standard Laboratory held a proficiency test for measurement and analysis of clearance mixed-nuclide samples. Two types of samples, box-shape and drum-shape, containing (60)Co and (137)Cs mixed solutions were measured by the participating laboratories and their results were then compared with the reference values. Seven participants used plastic scintillator counting systems and two participants used HPGe spectrometer systems to join in this study, obtaining 40 measurement results. The evaluation results showed that all the participants passed the requirements of this proficiency test, E(n)≦1, and the discrepancy was between -25% and 50%.

Evaluating practicability of an LSC method for routine monitoring gross alpha and beta activities in water samples in Taiwan.

A procedure using liquid scintillation counting for the monitoring of gross alpha and beta activities in environmental water was implemented to improve the conventional procedure using GFPC adopted in Taiwan. The new procedure was acquired through calibration and validation, and then was applied to the monitoring of surface water in Taiwan. This procedure can improve 2-4 times of detection efficiencies and takes only 70-80% of analysis time with reliable accuracy. With these features, the newly developed procedure is favorable during emergency situations.