Laboratory of Nuclear Analytical Methods was created on the basis of former Department of Analytical Chemistry in 2008. The research programme of the Laboratory has been focused on the development of inorganic trace analysis with particular emphasis on nuclear and nuclear-related analytical methods. The other field of interest of the Laboratory is QA/QC in inorganic trace analysis.

The Laboratory has been involved in the preparation and certification of the new certified reference materials for inorganic trace analysis and is a provider of proficiency testing schemes on radionuclides and trace elements determination in food and environmen-tal samples.

Proficiency testing scheme on the determination of selected radionuclides in food and environmental samples for laboratories which form the radiation monitoring network in Poland was commissioned by the National Atomic Energy Agency). Radionuclides determined are: 3H, 90Sr, 137Cs, 241Am, 226Ra and 239Pu.

Proficiency test scheme PLANTS has been organized to evaluate a performance of Polish laboratories determining selected trace element contents in food, feed and environmental materials of plant origin. All PTs were provided following the requirements of ISO/IEC 17043.

The main analytical techniques employed in the Laboratory comprise: neutron activation analysis with the use of a nuclear reactor instrumental and radiochemical modes), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (together with laser ablation), atomic absorption, HPLC including ion chromatography and gamma-ray spectrometry as well as alpha- and beta-ray counting. The research projects carried out in the Laboratory were concerned with: 1) chemical aspects of nuclear power, 2) radiopharmaceuticals and health protection, 3) nuclear methods of synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials, and 4) nuclear techniques for environment protection.

Preparation of standard reference materials for radioactivity measurements for the use by radiochemical laboratories, eg. 90Sr and 137Cs in milk powder, 137Cs in quartz sand.

Food and Environmental Laboratory as a part of the LNAM specializes in analysis of drinking water and other foodstuffs. The quality system of the laboratory is based on the international PN-EN ISO/IEC 17025 standard. The laboratory have been approved by the State Sanitary Inspection for the determination of activity concentration of 226Ra and 228Ra, 3H, 222Rn, 90Sr, 239Pu i 240Pu, 241Am, 60Co, 238U and 234 U as well as 134Cs and 137Cs in drinking water (DE HKN/00596/2016).

Contact:
Dr. Halina Polkowska-Motrenko E-mail: h.polkowska@ichtj.waw.pl phone +4822 504 1078
Dr. Jakub Dudek E-mail: j.dudek@ichtj.waw.pl phone +4822 504 1078
Dr. Ewelina Chajduk E-mail: e.chajduk@ichtj.waw.pl phone: +4822 504 1249