Metrological assurance in radiochemical production

Introduction: Radiochemical production is one of the richest in terms of data for analytical control, high-quality implementation of which is impossible without using type approved reference materials (RMs). Industry-specific institutes used to satisfy the demand for RMs, many of which nowadays have ceased this type of activities due to various reasons. The paper in question covers problems of metrological support in radiochemical production caused by the lack of type approved RMs.

Materials and methods: Technologies used for obtaining homogeneous reference material for radiochemical production are described. Methods and measuring instruments used for certifying RMs are listed.

Results: Results of developing certified reference materials at Mayak Production Association are given. Examples of codeveloping RMs of triuranium octoxide and plutonium dioxide are provided.

Discussion and conclusions: Assessment of the current situation in terms of provision of type approved RMs is given. The paper provides data on availability of raw material, quality of instrument and methodological base in order to create a reference material production site at Mayak Production Association. Results of step-by-step solutions to problems of metrological assurance in radiochemical production are presented. Research prospects of developing RMs for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry are outlined. An outlook is given and practical proposals are formulated in the paper. The proposals in question are related to the interaction between institutes and enterprises of the field in terms of developing type approved RMs.

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