Capability Target 4.4: Laboratory Operations

ASSESSMENT – DEMONSTRATION AND EVALUATION GUIDANCE

By observing the OROs’ capability to address the appropriate bullet points below and while considering the overall capability being assessed, the following key points of review and associated questions should be considered and will support an evaluation of this capability target.

OROs demonstrate the capability to:

  • Prepare analytical equipment for use, including performing calibrations, quality control checks, and background counts, as appropriate.
    • Was the equipment used calibrated using standards traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the appropriate geometries? Were quality control checks and background counts performed in accordance with procedures?
  • Receive and track samples, including completing chain-of-custody records.
    • Did laboratory personnel follow their procedures for receiving samples?
    • Were samples properly documented, including completing chain-of-custody records?
    • How were samples tracked throughout the analysis process?
  • Prepare and process each type of sample necessary to assess the ingestion plume exposure pathway and to support reentry, relocation, and return decisions. The types of samples necessary are based on the exercise scenario and may include drinking water, soil, vegetation, milk, crops, or other agriculture samples.
    • Which types of samples (e.g., air cartridge and filter, soil, vegetation, water, milk, crops, etc.) did the laboratory have the capability to analyze? What samples were processed during the demonstration?
    • Did laboratory personnel follow their procedures for sample preparation? What measures were taken to control contamination?
  • Analyze samples to determine the concentration of each radionuclide in each sample. Minimum detection limits (MDLs) for various radionuclides must be low enough to support ORO decisions.
    • Did the gamma spectroscopy systems use high-purity germanium detectors or another type? Did the software library include the radionuclides expected to be released during a nuclear power plant incident?
    • Did the laboratory have the capability to analyze samples for strontium-90? If so, how long would that analysis take? If not, did the ORO have plans in place to obtain such analysis?
    • What count times were used? Were the MDLs for various radionuclides low enough to support ORO decisions?
    • For food and milk samples, were the MDLs less than the FDA DILs?
    • For soil samples, were the MDLs low enough to support relocation decisions?
    • For drinking water samples, were MDLs lower than the EPA DRLs?
    • Did the laboratory have radiation level or contamination level limits for incoming samples? If so, what happens to samples exceeding those limits?
    • How many samples could the laboratory process in one day and in what order would samples be processed? Did the ORO have a method to identify priority samples?
    • How would samples be stored after counting is completed? What methods would be used to prevent spoilage of perishable samples? Were storage locations shielded or located far enough away to prevent increased radiation levels near the counting equipment?
  • Provide analysis results to the appropriate organization.
    • How were counting results processed and reported to the ORO? Were results reported in appropriate units (e.g., soil sample results reported in units of activity per area, not in units of activity per weight)? Were results decay corrected to the sample collection time or to another time? Were results transmitted electronically or by hard copy?
  • If the laboratory is used to count air samples during the early phase of an incident and prepare, process, and analyze air filters and cartridges, provide analysis results in a timely manner to support ORO decisions.
    • If the laboratory would be used to count air samples during the early phase of an incident, what would be the approximate time from when a sample is collected by FMTs to when the results would be provided to the ORO?