Abstract
The results from a proficiency test exercise for the determination of natural levels of radionuclides in mushroom reference material carried out by laboratories in six different countries are discussed. These laboratories submitted data on seven radionuclides, namely 134Cs, 137Cs, 40K, 90Sr, 241Am, 226Ra, and 210Po. However, only the data received for three of these radionuclides could be statistically evaluated to obtain consensus mean values and confidence intervals (at a significance level of 0.05). The contents of 134Cs, 137Cs and 40K were quantified as 4.4, 2,899 and 1,136 Bq/kg, respectively.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Thompson M, Wood R (1995) IUPAC Technical Report: Harmonized guidelines for internal quality control in analytical chemistry laboratories. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Zürich
Bode P (1997) From misconception to a must: the measured merits of total quality management and accreditation in INAA. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 215:51–57
Okamoto K, Yoshinage J (1999) Use of matrix reference materials. Wiley, Berlin
ISO/IEC (1997) ISO Guide 43-1: Proficiency testing by interlaboratory comparisons, Part 1. International Standard Organization, Geneva
Bleise AR, Smodis B, Glavic-Cindro D, Parr RM (2001) The updated IAEA database of natural matrix reference materials. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 248:205–209
Coquery M, Carvalho FP, Azemard S, Horvat M (1999) The IAEA worldwide intercomparison exercises (1990–1997): determination of trace elements in marine sediments and biological samples. Sci Total Environ 237/238:501–508
Povinec PP (1996) IAEA-MEL Report 5/96: Future challenges of IAEA’s AQCS programme. IAEA-MEL, Monaco
Mannan A, Waheed S, Rahman A, Ahmad S, Qureshi IH (1993) Multi-element analysis of coastal marine sediment, on IAEA proposed reference material (IAEA 356). Geostand Newsl 17(1):223–226
Waheed S, Waseem M, Rahman A, Ahmad S (2001) Instrumental neutron activation analysis of estuarine sediment as a proposed reference material for environmental studies. Geostand Newsl 25:137–144
Waseem M, Rahman A, Zaidi JH, Waheed S, Ahmad S (2001) Neutron activation analysis of IAEA proposed certified reference material IAEA-407 (North sea fish homogenate). J Radioanal Nucl Chem 248:205–209
Waheed S, Rahman A, Daud M, Zaidi JH, Ahmad S (2004) INAA methodology using low power reactor for the characterization of IAEA-433; Coastal marine sediment as a potential reference material. Radiochim Acta 92:939–944
Thompson M, Wood R (1993) The international harmonized protocols for the proficiency testing of (chemical) analytical laboratory studies, IUPAC/ISO/AOAC. J Pure Appl Chem 65:2123–2144
Brookes CJ, Betteley IG, Loxton SM (1979) Fundamentals of mathematics and statistics. Wiley, New York
Acknowledgments
The authors are thankful to Dr. Zbigniew, RADECKI Technical Coordinator of the IAEA project INT/1/054 entitled “Preparation of Reference Materials and Organization of Proficiency Test Rounds,” for providing the opportunity to compile the international data. We also acknowledge Ms. Halina Polkowska-Motrenko, from the Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Warsaw, Poland, for the collection of this material. Finally, all of the laboratories who participated in this exercise are also acknowledged.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Waheed, S., Rahman, A., Siddique, N. et al. Proficiency test exercise on the determination of natural levels of radionuclides in mushroom reference material. Accred Qual Assur 12, 311–316 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00769-007-0260-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00769-007-0260-y