Validation of gamma-ray spectrometry (GRS) for radionuclides analysis of environmental and food samples

The validation of the experimental methodology, employed at the Laboratory of Environmental Radioactivity of the Environmental Protection Agency of Calabria, Italy to determine the presence of gamma-emitting radionuclides in environmental and food samples, is reported in the present study. The validation process aims to demonstrate the validity of a method for its use by verifying that the requirements that the laboratory aims to achieve are met. High purity germanium spectrometry was employed to determine activity concentrations in certified reference materials obtained from the international atomic energy agency, with the aim to verify the linearity, repeatability, accuracy, trueness and detection limit of the methodology. Investigated radionuclides were 137Cs, 40K, 228Ac and 212Pb. The setup was calibrated using standard sources. Obtained results demonstrate the adequacy of the procedure under consideration; they also document the competence of the operator and provide sufficient data to define the control limits useful for ensuring the quality of the data.