Nuclear Chemistry Laboratory
Radiological Surveillance Program
The NCL provides analytical support for:
- DOH Bureau of Environmental Radiation Protection (BERP)
- DOH Bureau of Water Supply Protection (BWSP)
- Licensed Users (universities, hospitals, etc.)
- Radiation Safety Office (RSO)
- Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
- State Emergency Management Office (SEMO)
- Department of Health Research Scientists
The NCL analyzes samples collected from the following sites:
- Indian Point power reactors (2)
- Ginna power reactor
- Nine Mile Point power reactors (2)
- Brookhaven National Lab research reactors
- Kesselring Laboratory research reactors
- West Valley Demonstration Project (radiological burial site)
- Background surveillance sites
Public Water Supply Radiological Surveillance
The periodic radiological analysis of public drinking water supplies is mandated by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act and by Part 5 of the State Sanitary Code. The Laboratory provides analytical support to the program, which is administered by the DOH Bureau of Public Water Supply Protection. For each groundwater source, a gross alpha screening measurement is performed to determine subsequent analytical requirements, including isotopic analyses for 226Ra, 228Ra, 234U, 235U, and 238U. For a surface water supply, tritium analysis is performed and measurements of gross alpha and gross beta activity are each performed to determine the need for analyses of the aforementioned radionuclides, as well as analyses for 90Sr and gamma-emitting isotopes.
Analytical Support for State Radioactive Materials Licensing Program
New York, as an Agreement State on behalf of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, regulates the use of radioactive materials in all facilities other than federally licensed facilities such as nuclear power plants. The DOH Bureau of Environmental Radiation Protection (BERP) has the responsibility of administering this function for all non-industrial institutions, such as hospitals, universities, and colleges, except those in New York City. The NCL provides analytical support to BERP by analyzing compliance verification samples collected during regulatory audits or radiological emergencies. Sample types include, but are not limited to, wipe, air-particulate, charcoal, liquid, sewage-sludge and ash, wildlife, vegetation, and bioassay (thyroid, urine, feces, saliva, etc) samples.
Environmental Monitoring of Nuclear Power Facilities
Six nuclear power reactors operate in New York State. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission requires State monitoring of the environment surrounding nuclear facilities. Water, rainfall, and air particulates are monitored routinely by BERP from the environs of these sites as part of the Department of Health's radiological environmental surveillance program. Samples from the environmental monitoring sites are measured by the NCL to confirm the absence or presence of radioactivity.
Indoor Radon
The NCL has prepared radon risk maps using a statewide database of some 45,000 basement screening measurements and over 11,000 long- term living area measurements made through an ongoing detector distribution program initiated in 1986 by the Department of Health. Town-level maps show the estimated percentage of homes with indoor-air radon concentrations greater than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guideline of 4 pCi/L in the towns and cities of each county. The maps have been distributed to towns, schools, and home-related professionals throughout New York.
Quality Assurance (QA)
The NCL participates in extensive internal and external quality assurance programs. The internal QA program includes 5% method blanks, 10% matrix duplicates, and 5% matrix spikes for all analyses. On average, over 500 internal QA samples are prepared and analyzed annually. The NCL also participates in external QA programs operated by Environmental Resource Associates (ERA), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN),and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Additional Links
NYSDOH Radiation & Health -> http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/radon/radhlthb.htm