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 The environmental chemistry group has developed procedures for determining low levels of a variety of inorganic substances in environmental and other media. Laboratory space for the group includes a primary laboratory for sample preparation and an instrumental analysis laboratory. The preparation laboratory is equipped with chemical hoods, two microwave sample digestion units, an acid purification system, an electronic balance, and other standard laboratory equipment.
The Center's field sampling program is focused on design and implementation of protocols for collection and initial processing of samples of environmental media. The field sampling program uses and maintains a wide variety of sampling equipment, including two fully instrumented meteorological stations; low-volume, high-volume, dichotomous, and multiple orifice inlet aerosol samplers; soil and sediment collection devices; ground water and surface water collection equipment; in situ water quality instrumentation; an in situ NaI gamma radiation detection system; a global positioning system; four-wheel drive vehicles; and a small boat with outboard motor. One of the Center's primary objectives is to establish a health and environmental database accessible to all sectors. It is the role of the informatics program to carry out this function for the Center by developing and implementing information management systems. The informatics program includes formal systems for data archival and documentation that facilitate analyses and accurate interpretations. Commercial relational data base management systems (RDBMS) are one component of the program. For example, the lung and whole body counting system uses an integrated RDBMS for data collection and storage. An Access data base is used to store aerosol and meteorological data collected by the field sampling program. A commercial Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) has been implemented since 1999. The LIMS provides systematic identification and tracking of samples and reporting of analytical results. The internal dosimetry program conducts analyses and consultation for the study and management of internal radiation exposure. The analyses include collection of information on work and residence history, past and current radiation exposure, bioassays to measure the presence of radionuclides within body tissues (in vivo) or body fluids and excretions (in vitro), and calculation of dose associated with observed uptakes. Consultation includes interpretation of bioassay results and can extend to collaboration with health care professionals and workplace supervisors. The internal dosimetry program includes a documented quality assurance program for in vivo and in vitro bioassays and a comprehensive technical basis for the assessment of internal exposure. The program meets the requirements and recommendations of the DOE Implementation Guide for Internal Dosimetry Programs (10 CFR 835) and the American National Standards Institute Performance Criteria for Radiobioassay (N13.30). The Center is also involved in the DOE Laboratory Accreditation Program for internal dosimetry and radiobioassay. The primary focus of the radiochemistry program is measurement of radionuclide activities at environmental background levels. Analysis capabilities for environmental media include air, soil, surface water and sediment, groundwater, and biota. In addition to environmental media, the laboratory will be developing bioassay analysis capabilities for urine, feces, and tissue. Standard reference materials for instrument calibration and analytical quality control and quality assurance programs are being implemented for the laboratories. The radiochemistry laboratory currently participates in the DOE Environmental Measurements Laboratory, Quality Assessment Program. The Center is also a pilot participant in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Radiochemistry Intercomparison Program (RIP) for evaluation of low-level radionuclide measurements. |