UAE is a member of the ALMERA network, a worldwide
network of analytical laboratories, established by the IAEA. Through a series
of workshops and meetings the ALMERA network aims to ensure harmonization amongst
its laboratories.
Two international meetings were held by
ALMERA this month. The first training workshop was organized by the Canadian Nuclear Safety
Commission (CNSC), in collaboration with the IAEA, and focused on the
Determination of Organically Bound Tritium in Food Samples Using Liquid
Scintillation Counting. It is part of the specific support provided to the
laboratories, which includes methodological developments, proficiency tests and
targeted training.
The course trained the participants on
several food samples preparation methods and Liquid scintillation measurement
process which they will be able to apply in their laboratories as part of their
environmental radioactivity monitoring programme.
Another coordination meeting was held in
Sydney this month to review ALMERA activities. The UAE Federal Authority for Nuclear
Regulation (FANR) presented and discussed ALMERA proficiency test results and
related proposals. The participants
defined a future work plan for developing the network’s activities in
the following fields:
recommended radio-analytical methods,
reference materials and proficiency testing, methodologies supporting routine
and emergency environmental monitoring, and radio-ecological assessment.
