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Rapid and simultaneous detection of alpha/beta radioactivity in food by solid phase extraction liquid scintillation counting

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a practical radioanalytical method suitable for screening for beta- and alpha-emitting radioactive contamination in a large number and wide variety of foods in the event of a nuclear or radiological emergency. Simple and rapid solid-phase extraction was used to overcome matrix and radiometric interferences that occurred during food analysis. Benefiting from discriminative liquid scintillation counting, simultaneous detection of alpha and beta radioactivity was achieved with negligible quench effects and ~95 % counting efficiencies. Method limits of detection were ~0.06 Bq/kg for alpha and ~0.4 Bq/kg for beta radioactivity and the results were within ±20 % of the known values.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank William C. Cunningham, Food and Drug Administration, and Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition for providing assistance during method development and technical review of this manuscript. We also appreciate the invaluable support provided by Susanne Brooks and Donald H. Burr, Food and Drug Administration, Food Emergency Response Network (FERN), National Program Office, and member laboratories of the FERN, as well as Winchester Engineering and Analytical Center management: Brian Baker, Patrick Regan, Pamela Mackill, and Cong Wei.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Winchester Engineering and Analytical Center, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 109 Holton Street, Winchester, MA, 01890, USA

    Zhichao Lin, Stephanie Healey & Zhongyu Wu

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  1. Zhichao Lin
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  2. Stephanie Healey
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  3. Zhongyu Wu
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Correspondence to Zhichao Lin.

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Lin, Z., Healey, S. & Wu, Z. Rapid and simultaneous detection of alpha/beta radioactivity in food by solid phase extraction liquid scintillation counting. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 307, 1987–1994 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4531-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4531-5

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