# Discipline C - Radiochemistry - Analytical Track Food Defense

> **NIH FDA U19** · TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE RESEARCH · 2020 · $239,547

## Abstract

Abstract 
PROJECT SEVEN: Texas State Chemist Food Defense for Radiological Hazards 
Plans for the OTSC-AAS radiochemistry food defense project include: 1) expansion of 
radiochemistry methodology to detect radionuclides, 2) expand the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 scope 
to include alpha, beta, and gamma testing, 3) participation in FDA requested annual surveillance 
activities to support and maintain readiness, 4) participation in national security event exercises 
5) maintenance of preparedness to rapidly respond to the suspected or confirmed intentional 
contamination event involving human or animal food including ensuring analysts are trained and 
have passed competency exercise, equipment is in working order and reagents and supplies are 
available, and 6) participation in testing associated with suspected or credible threats to the food 
and animal food supply where a radiological agent is suspected at the request of FDA. In 2019, 
OTSC conducted extensive preparations and allocated necessary budgets for the design and 
development of a new radiological lab to participate in the Food Emergency Response Network 
(FERN). The agency applied and received a radioactive material (RAM) permit as part of the 
Texas A&M University (TAMU) Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) radiological license in 
September 2019. The agency currently has a Canberra Series 5 XLB gas proportional alpha/beta 
counter and two Canberra HPGe gamma spectrophotometers, two Ortec HPGe gamma 
spectrophotometers, and a Princeton gamma tech spectrophotometer. Secondary instrumentation 
includes a Ludlum 14C survey meter with a 44-2 gamma scintillator and a 44-9 Pancake GM 
detector. The agency developed and implemented operating and safety procedures to meet all 
regulatory requirements imposed by TAMU Environmental Health and Safety, through their 
licenses with the Texas Department of State Health Services, Bureau of Radiation Control and 
US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. As an outcome of this project, Texas animal food defense 
for radiological hazards will be strengthened and scope of ISO accreditation expanded resulting 
in capacity and capability increased and provide surge capacity for food regulatory agencies in 
the event of a radiological disaster.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10160669
- **Project number:** 1U19FD007097-01
- **Recipient organization:** TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE RESEARCH
- **Principal Investigator:** TIMOTHY JOHN HERRMAN
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** FDA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $239,547
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10160669

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10160669, Discipline C - Radiochemistry - Analytical Track Food Defense (1U19FD007097-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10160669. Licensed CC0.

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