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Braekers D, Bruggeman M, Vidic A, Ramahaleotsitohaina A, Sneyers L, Didovic I, Verheyen L. Experimental determination of soil sampling uncertainty in the context of environmental radiological monitoring. Appl Radiat Isot 2023; 195:110727. [PMID: 36863266 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2023.110727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Uncertainty associated with nuclear counting analyses are attributed to two main components of uncertainty; one is related to sampling, the other to sample preparation and the subsequent nuclear counting. The ISO/IEC 17025 standard of 2017 require accredited laboratories carrying out their own sampling to estimate the uncertainty associated with sampling in the field. This study presents the results of a sampling campaign and analysis by gamma spectrometry to determine the sampling uncertainty related to the measurement of radionuclides in soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Braekers
- Institute for Radioelements (IRE), Avenue de l'espérance 1 B-6220, Fleurus, Belgium.
| | - Michel Bruggeman
- Belgian Nuclear research Center (SCK CEN), Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Alfred Vidic
- Institute for Public Health of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (IPH), M. Tita 9, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | | | - Liesel Sneyers
- Belgian Nuclear research Center (SCK CEN), Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Irma Didovic
- Institute for Public Health of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (IPH), M. Tita 9, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Leen Verheyen
- Belgian Nuclear research Center (SCK CEN), Boeretang 200, B-2400 Mol, Belgium
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Bruggeman M, Sneyers L, Gijsbrechts W, Loots H, Braekers D, Lecomte M. Uncertainty due to primary sampling of 222Rn in analyses of water. Appl Radiat Isot 2023; 196:110741. [PMID: 36878088 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2023.110741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Measurement uncertainty is an important variable, to be accounted for when decisions have to be made based on measurement results. Measurement uncertainty is composed of two main components; one is related to the primary sampling, the other to the sample preparation and the subsequent analysis of the sample. The component related to the sample preparation and the analysis is commonly well evaluated in proficiency testing while there is generally no straightforward similar approach to evaluate sampling uncertainty. ISO 17025:2017 explicitly requires that testing laboratories performing sampling and analyses determine the uncertainty related to the primary sampling. In order to determine uncertainty arising in the primary sampling of 222Rn in water destined for human consumption, three laboratories IRE (BE), DiSa (LU) and SCK CEN (BE) initiated a joined sampling and measurement campaign. The dual split sample method in combination with ANOVA was used to evaluate the primary sampling uncertainty (precision) of the different methods. The tests showed that sampling bias is very probably, but that with good laboratory practice the sampling uncertainty precision and respectively bias can be kept below 5%.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Marielle Lecomte
- Direction de la santé, Division de la radioprotection (DiSa), Luxembourg, Luxembourg
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3
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Rojas-Palma C, Steinhäusler F, Kuča P, Češpírová I, Ďuran J, Mann C, Sneyers L, Smits K, Bruggeman M. Guidelines for first responders based on results from deploying a mockup radiological dispersal device. J Radiol Prot 2020; 40:1205-1216. [PMID: 32927439 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/abb833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
During the past 7th Security Framework Program the European Commission funded a research project called CATO (CBRN Crisis management, Architectures, Technologies and Operational procedures) to develop a prototype decision support system for crisis management in addition to providing a suite of guidelines for first responders and incident commanders when dealing with chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incidents. In order to derive these guidelines a proof-of-concept experiment was setup during which several passive agent (Stable CsCl) dispersions with improvised explosive devices and vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices were carried out. Each dispersion was thoroughly characterised by a number of monitoring devices, including high-volume air samplers and size-segregated air samplers. All environmental and forensic samples were collected by the UK counter terrorism police, following strict labelling and chain-of-custody protocols. The samples were analysed at the Belgian Nuclear Research Center suing the k0 method for instrumental neutron activation technique. A full consequence assessment analysis was carried out assuming that the observed concentration of Cs-133 in samples was Cs-137 instead and use was made of the specific activity of Cs-137. Due to the sensitivity of the information the European Commission classified this research. The resulted reported on in this work have been unclassified and are released to assist emergency planners and first responders to take the necessary precautions. The results indicate that, up to distances of 50 m from ground zero radiation levels will be considerable and therefore live-saving actions must be performed by fire/rescue wearing full protective gear. In addition, low-wind conditions will favor a long airborne residence time and therefore the use of full-face protective gear is a must. In order to protect first responders, a radiation protection specialist is to determine how long people can enter and remain in the contaminated area. The recovery of evidence in the case of a car-bomb will be hard or even impossible due to the high level of radioactive material remaining inside the vehicle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Rojas-Palma
- Environment, Health and Safety Institute, Belgian Nuclear Research Center, Mol, Belgium
| | - Friedrich Steinhäusler
- Department Chemistry and Physics of Materials, Paris-Lodron University of Salzburg, Austria
| | - Petr Kuča
- Section of Emergency Preparedness, National Radiation Protection Institute (SURO), Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Irena Češpírová
- Section of Emergency Preparedness, National Radiation Protection Institute (SURO), Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Cameron Mann
- Police National CBRN Center, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Liesel Sneyers
- Environment, Health and Safety Institute, Belgian Nuclear Research Center, Mol, Belgium
| | - Katrien Smits
- Environment, Health and Safety Institute, Belgian Nuclear Research Center, Mol, Belgium
| | - Michel Bruggeman
- Environment, Health and Safety Institute, Belgian Nuclear Research Center, Mol, Belgium
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Farina Arboccò F, Vermaercke P, Smits K, Sneyers L, Strijckmans K. Experimental k 0 and k 0-fission factors for the determination of the n(235U)/n(238U) enrichment levels and correction for 235U fission interferences in samples containing uranium. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-014-3275-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Pino F, Sajo-Castelli AM, Barros H, Vermaercke P, Sneyers L, Sajo Bohus L, Mackowiak de Antczak MM, Antczak A. k0-INAA of Venezuelan ceramics and complete statistical analysis to establish their provenance. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-013-2603-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Farina Arboccò F, Vermaercke P, Sneyers L, Strijckmans K. Experimental validation of some thermal neutron self-shielding calculation methods for cylindrical samples in INAA. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-011-1211-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Vermaercke P, Sneyers L, Bruggeman M, De Wispelaere A, De Corte F. Neutron spectrum calibration using the Cd-ratio for multi-monitor method with a synthetic multi-element standard. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2008. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-008-1206-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Leal A, Menezes M, Rodrigues R, Andonie O, Vermaercke P, Sneyers L. A comparative neutron activation analysis study of common generic manipulated and reference medicines commercialized in Brazil. Appl Radiat Isot 2008; 66:1307-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2008.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2007] [Revised: 01/24/2008] [Accepted: 03/07/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Vermaercke P, Robouch P, Sneyers L, De Corte F. Using synthetic multi-element standards (SMELS) for calibration and quality control of the irradiation facilities in the BR1 reactor. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2007. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-007-0439-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Bossuyt X, Claeys R, Bogaert G, Said HI, Wouters C, Groven C, Sneyers L, Mariën G, Gorus F. Reference values for the five electrophoretic serum protein fractions in Caucasian children by capillary zone electrophoresis. Clin Chem Lab Med 2001; 39:970-2. [PMID: 11758613 DOI: 10.1515/cclm.2001.157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
We report age-related reference intervals for capillary zone electrophoresis for children between 1 and 14 years of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- X Bossuyt
- Laboratory Medicine, Immunology, University Hospital, KU Leuven, Belgium.
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12
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Zaman Z, Speeleveld E, Sneyers L, Desmet K. Inhibition of acetylcholine esterase and choline esterase by benzethonium chloride and avoidance of the benzethonium chloride carry-over inhibitory effect. Eur J Clin Chem Clin Biochem 1997; 35:603-7. [PMID: 9298350 DOI: 10.1515/cclm.1997.35.8.603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
It has been shown that benzethonium chloride produces linear mixed-type inhibition of choline esterase and acetylcholine esterase. These enzymes also show-reagent-carry-over inhibition if the enzyme activities are measured in plastic cuvettes in which previously protein has been determined by the alkaline benzethonium chloride method. Choline esterase is about 10-fold more sensitive to benzethonium chloride than acetylcholine esterase. With acetylthiocholine as substrate Michaelis-Menten constants for choline esterase and acetylcholine esterase are 85 mumol/l and 102 mumol/l, respectively. Carry-over inhibitory effect of benzethonium chloride can be avoided by washing the cuvettes, after protein determination by the benzethonium chloride method, with 5 ml/l Triton X-100, 5 ml/l Tween 20 or 10 g/l sodium dodecyl sulphate. The latter has a disadvantage in that it precipitates out at low temperatures. The dry slide method (Johnson & Johnson) for serum choline esterase is free of the inhibitory effect until the concentration of benzethonium chloride in the sample reaches about 200 mumol/l.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Zaman
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium.
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Zaman Z, Sneyers L, Van Orshoven A, Blanckaert N, Mariën G. Elimination of paraprotein interference in determination of plasma inorganic phosphate by ammonium molybdate method. Clin Chem 1995; 41:609-14. [PMID: 7720254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Phosphate concentrations were determined in 52 cases of paraproteinemia. The unmodified acidic ammonium molybdate method produced 19% spuriously high results. The false increase of phosphate concentration was attributable to formation of precipitate in the reaction mixture. The precipitate was formed by interaction between immunoglobulins and the unmodified acidic ammonium molybdate reagent. The magnitude of interference bore no relation to the type, concentrations, or isoelectric point of the paraproteins or to the presence or absence of free light chains. Diluting the sample to approximately 40 g/L total protein reduced but did not always eliminate the interference. In some cases paraprotein concentration as low as 8 g/L falsely increased plasma phosphate results. Apparently, only IgG and IgM but not IgA paraproteins produced the interference. Deproteination by ultrafiltration or by treatment with trichloroacetic acid removed the interference. The Kodak slide method and the new modified Boehringer Mannheim phosphate test were found to be interference-free. However, in some cases the latter new formulation is sensitive to substantial changes in ionic concentration of the reaction mixture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Zaman
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
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Zaman Z, Sneyers L, Van Orshoven A, Blanckaert N, Mariën G. Elimination of paraprotein interference in determination of plasma inorganic phosphate by ammonium molybdate method. Clin Chem 1995. [DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/41.4.609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Phosphate concentrations were determined in 52 cases of paraproteinemia. The unmodified acidic ammonium molybdate method produced 19% spuriously high results. The false increase of phosphate concentration was attributable to formation of precipitate in the reaction mixture. The precipitate was formed by interaction between immunoglobulins and the unmodified acidic ammonium molybdate reagent. The magnitude of interference bore no relation to the type, concentrations, or isoelectric point of the paraproteins or to the presence or absence of free light chains. Diluting the sample to approximately 40 g/L total protein reduced but did not always eliminate the interference. In some cases paraprotein concentration as low as 8 g/L falsely increased plasma phosphate results. Apparently, only IgG and IgM but not IgA paraproteins produced the interference. Deproteination by ultrafiltration or by treatment with trichloroacetic acid removed the interference. The Kodak slide method and the new modified Boehringer Mannheim phosphate test were found to be interference-free. However, in some cases the latter new formulation is sensitive to substantial changes in ionic concentration of the reaction mixture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Zaman
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
| | - L Sneyers
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
| | - A Van Orshoven
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
| | - N Blanckaert
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
| | - G Mariën
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
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