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Nuclear Chemistry

Wadsworth Center’s Nuclear Chemistry Laboratory operates within the Laboratory of Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry, Division of Environmental Health Sciences.

Nuclear Chemistry Laboratory

The Nuclear Chemistry Laboratory cooperates with other New York State agencies such as Bureau of Environmental Radiation Protection, Bureau of Water Supply Protection, as well as with the US FDA for radiological food protection.

Information including frequently asked questions, testing, mitigation, laws and regulations and radon level maps and statistics can be found at the NYS Department of Health's Radon Page

Nuclear Chemistry

  • Blain E, Nishikawa K, Faye SA, Roselan A, Burn AG, Torres, MA, Semkow, TM. Detection capability study of 89Sr and 90Sr using liquid scintillation counting. Health Physics. 2023;125(2):123-136. DOI: 10.1097/HP.0000000000001698.
  • Pubmed Web Address

  • Burn AG, Haines DK, Khan AJ, Torres MT, Faye SA, Costello CA, Hoffman TJ, Chu LT, Bradt CJ, Semkow TM. Gamma radioactivity detection limits and associated radionuclide intakes study in artificial human urine using sodium-iodide and high-purity germanium detectors. Health Physics. 2023;124(2):106-112. DOI: 10.1097/HP.0000000000001642.
  • Pubmed Web Address

  • Chu LT, Burn AG, Bradt CJ, Semkow TM. Monte Carlo simulation of hot-particle detection in voluminous samples by gamma spectrometry. Journal of Applied Mathematics and Physics. 2021;9(7):1522-40. DOI: 10.4236/jamp.2021.97104.
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  • Khan AJ, Li X, Haines DK, Hoffman TJ, Semkow TM. Investigation of neutron shielding materials for low-background gamma spectrometry. J Radioanal Nucl Chem. 2021;328(113503):941-950. DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-07715-x.
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  • Semkow T, Chu L and Burn A. Gamma Spectrometry of Inhomogeneous Samples Using Peak-Ratio Method. Journal of Applied Mathematics and Physics. 2021;9(11):2641-59. DOI: 10.4236/jamp.2021.911170.
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  • Burn AG, Li X, Haines DK, Hussain MM, Yang KX, Marrantino JC, Syed U-F, Bari A, Semkow TM. Improved sample preparation procedure for gross alpha counting on gas-flow proportional counter. J Radioanal Nucl Chem. 2020;325(2):417-423. DOI: 10.1007/s10967-020-07256-9
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  • Nishikawa K, Bari A, Khan AJ, Li X, Menia T, Semkow TM. Homogenization of food samples for gamma spectrometry using protease. J Radioanal Nucl Chem. 2018;318(1):401-406. DOI: 10.1007/s10967-018-6065-0.
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  • Nishikawa K, Bari A, Khan AJ, Li X, Menia T, Semkow TM, Lin Z, Healy S. Homogenization of food samples for gamma spectrometry using tetramethylammonium hydroxide and enzymatic digestion. J Radioanal Nucl Chem. 2017;314(2):859-870. DOI: 10.1007/s10967-017-5434-4.
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  • Kitto ME, Marrantino JC, Fielman EM, Haines DK, Semkow TM, Bari A. Long-term monitoring of radioactivity in fish from New York waters. J. Environ. Radioact. 2015;(146):44-50. DOI:
  • Pubmed Web Address

  • Kitto ME, Torres MA, Haines DK, Semkow TM. Radon measurement of natural gas using alpha scintillation cells. J Environ Radioact. 2014;(138):205-207. DOI:
  • Pubmed Web Address

  • Khan AJ, Semkow TM, Beach SE, Haines DK, Bradt CJ, Bari A, Syed U-F, Torres M, Marrantino J, Kitto ME, Menia T, Fielman E. Application of low-background gamma-ray spectrometry to monitor radioactivity in the environment and food. Appl Radiat Isot. 2014;(90):251-257. DOI:
  • Pubmed Web Address

  • Semkow TM, Beach SE, Khan AJ, Bari A, Bradt CJ, Haines DK, Syed UF. Multi-window counting of radioactivity. Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section A-Accelerators Spectrometers Detectors & Associated Equipment. 2012;664(1):236-244. DOI:
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  • Bari A, Khan AJ, Semkow TM, Syed UF, Roselan A, Haines DK, Roth G, West L, Arndt, M. Rapid screening of radioactivity in food for emergency response. Applied Radiation & Isotopes. 2011;69(6):834-43. DOI:
  • Pubmed Web Address

Radon

  • Kitto ME, Torres MA, Haines DK, Semkow TM. Radon Measurement of Natural Gas Using Alpha Scintillation Cells. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. 2014;(138):205-207. DOI:
  • Pubmed Web Address

  • Kitto, ME. Radon Testing in Schools in New York State: A 20-year Summary. J. Environ. Radioact. 2014;(137):213-216. DOI:
  • Pubmed Web Address

  • Kitto, ME, Menia, TA, Bari, A, Fielman, EM and Haines, DK. Development and intercomparison of a reusable radon-in-water standard. Radiation Measurements. 2010;45(2):231-233. DOI:
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  • Kitto ME, Green JG. Mapping of Indoor Radon Potential at the Township Level. Atmospheric Environment. 2008;42(34):8007-8014. DOI:
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