news
ment deadline was not met. Four
According to the NPL, a “robust
undertaking such work should not be
NMRMs that were identified as poten-
framework of radioactivity metrology
underestimated. Certified NMRMs, it
tially useful were not finalized in the
is essential to support the ongoing
says, are a “vital part of traceability in
allocated period of time, although the
exploitation of nuclear processes and
analytical science.” Without these stan-
LGC says the U.K.’s National Physical
products.” This makes accurate and
dards, there is no absolute method of
Laboratory (NPL) may ultimately take up
traceable measurements based on stan-
checking the validity of any measure-
the reins in developing these further.
dard references critical to research and
ments recorded in the field.
The need for NMRMs was highlight-
environmental monitoring, which must
The DOE is now considering how to
ed as long ago as 1977 at a meeting of
stand up to serious public scrutiny. In
move forward with the four LGC materi-
the International Committee on Radionu-
recent years, comparisons of environ-
als. Experts say that there is obviously a
clide Metrology. V. T. Bowen of Woods
mental radioactivity measurements have
need for reproducibility and the mutual
Hole Oceanographic Institute pointed
sadly shown discrepancies due to inad-
acceptance of test data without which
out that natural-matrix materials spiked
equate radiochemical techniques and
the usefulness of measurements are
with radionuclides were inadequate for
uncertified methodology.
severely restricted. However, the four
various reasons and the environmental
The LGC carried out a survey of cur-
materials from LGC are not, at this time,
radiochemistry community must urgently
rently used NMRMs in western Europe
at a satisfactory stage of development to
develop homogeneous natural-matrix
and correlated this with the U.K.’s envi-
fulfill this role. David Bradley
samples, each naturally contaminated
ronmental monitoring needs.
by a range of radionuclides at various
Having identified four suitable
concentration levels.
matrixes, it was then impossi-
BUSINESS ble to find enough independ-
Growing by columns
or are under current development by the
ent laboratories to take part
likes of the National Institute of Stan-
in the study, so time ran out
dards and Technology, the NPL, and the
on the contract.
Agilent Technologies solidified its position in the separations market with the acquisition of J&W Scientific—the largest manufacturer and supplier of capillary GC columns—on March 29. According to the company, the takeover makes Agilent the largest supplier of GC instruments, consumables, and columns. J&W also manufactures CE and solid-phase extraction products.
Radio-NMRMs have been developed
LGC using materials such as river and
The DOE points out in its
lake sediments, soils, human tissues,
report that the time required
and bone ash.
and the costs involved in
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