# Wadsworth Center's Radiochemical Testing for Food Defense and Capability Development (Discipline C: Radiochemistry, Analytical Track 2: Radiochemistry Capability/Capacity Development, Expansion-Beta

> **NIH FDA U19** · WADSWORTH CENTER · 2020 · $115,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY - Discipline C - Analytical Track 2 
The principal goal of this project is to develop capability and capacity for radiological food protection from beta 
emitters, both nationwide and within New York State, including activities related to surveillance, emergency 
response, and method development. The proposed activities will be performed within the Nuclear Chemistry 
Laboratory section of Laboratory of Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry at the Wadsworth Center, New York 
State Department of Health. Wadsworth Center, a comprehensive state public health laboratory, performs 
research and mandated testing in biomedical and environmental science. Its Division of Environmental Health 
Sciences is responsible for the analysis of environmental and food samples for toxic chemicals and 
radioactivity, as well as for laboratory activities in response to chemical and radiological threat-related 
incidents. The Wadsworth Center develops and validates laboratory methods for measuring chemical and 
nuclear threat agents and accredits clinical and environmental laboratories throughout New York State. 
Within Track 2: Radiochemistry Capability/Capacity Development, Expansion - Beta, in the Laboratory Flexible 
Funding Model, it is proposed to purchase a Hidex 300SL liquid scintillation counter (Hidex, Turku, Finland) 
with Alpha/Beta capability and Temperature Control, that will be used for activities related to surveillance, 
emergency response, and method development. In Track 1: Food Defense and Maintenance, we propose 
development of experimental and computational methods to screen and quantify Sr-89,90 and beta emitters in 
food for emergency response using Hidex 300SL, with significant benefits for FERN. In addition, we will use 
the Hidex 300SL to maintain capability and capacity for alpha/beta screening using the method developed at 
the US FDA’s Winchester Engineering and Analytical Center. We will establish appropriate counting programs 
for these methods on the Hidex instrument, perform calibrations specific to its proposed uses, train staff in its 
operation, as well as increase throughput for alpha/beta emitters in food. 
In addition, we propose maintenance of qualified and trained personnel for food radiochemistry and 
emergency, adherence to Wadsworth’s Quality Management System, as well as acquiring and calibration of 
equipment appropriate for radiological food defense. Furthermore, we will participate in/organize radiological 
exercises and Performance Tests for FERN, participate in FERN assignments, as well as attend Face-to-Face 
meetings and other conferences. Wadsworth Center’s Nuclear Chemistry Laboratory proposes development 
activities, such as method development and surge capacity development. The proposed methods involve Sr-89 
and Sr-90 isotopic determination in food using liquid scintillation counting, determination of gross beta 
radioactivity in food using gas proportional counting as well as survey screening, in addit...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10173142
- **Project number:** 1U19FD007089-01
- **Recipient organization:** WADSWORTH CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Thomas Semkow
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** FDA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $115,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10173142

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10173142, Wadsworth Center's Radiochemical Testing for Food Defense and Capability Development (Discipline C: Radiochemistry, Analytical Track 2: Radiochemistry Capability/Capacity Development, Expansion-Beta (1U19FD007089-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10173142. Licensed CC0.

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