# Discipline C: Radiochemisty, Analytical Track 2: Capability/Capacity Development - Expansion Alpha

> **NIH FDA U19** · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · 2020 · $150,000

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract - Discipline C: Radiochemistry 
Analytical Track 2: Radiochemistry Capacity/Capability Development (Alpha Expansion) 
The State Hygienic Laboratory’s (SHL) participation in this project contributes to the overall objective of the 
grant by enhancing the capacity and capabilities of Iowa’s State Hygienic Laboratory (SHL) to respond to 
foodborne radiological threats as part of an integrated food safety system by expanding SHL’s ability to quickly 
screen a variety food products for alpha-emitting radionuclides. Given SHL’s current ability to quantitatively 
analyze for discrete alpha-emitters, this enhanced screening capacity will help SHL triage samples and 
expedite both qualitative and quantitative analysis of food products for alpha-emitting radionuclides in a 
radiological emergency. 
The specific aims of this project are to: 
 1. Purchase a microwave digestion system and additional gas-flow proportional counting detectors to 
enable the performance of the FERN-RAD.0003.00, Rapid dissolution of liquid organic matrices in 
preparation for gross alpha particle analysis. 
2. Expand the list of foods to able to be analyzed at SHL by FERN-RAD.0003.00 via Level B validation 
studies on a variety of solid food products. 
3. Train designated staff in the analysis of foods for gross alpha particles via FERN-RAD.003.00. 
4. Demonstrate competency through a proficiency test offered by a suitable proficiency testing program, 
or if unavailable, a laboratory developed competency exercise. 
5. Attend the annual LFFM Face-to-Face Meeting. 
In the first six months of the grant period SHL will procure, install, and optimize a microwave digestion system, 
and implement the FERN.0003.00 method. SHL will also complete training of staff on this method in the first 
six months of the grant period. In the last six months of the grant period, SHL will screen 25 juice for gross 
alpha particles and perform FERN Level B validation studies on five solid food types to increase SHL’s 
screening capacity. Successful completion of this project will help the FDA enhance its nationally integrated 
food safety system and will strengthen its efforts to detect, prevent, and minimize foodborne exposures. This 
project is also be beneficial to SHL by enhancing its sample preparation and analytical capacity and providing 
a training opportunity for staff in sample preparation techniques and method validations.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10176090
- **Project number:** 1U19FD007100-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
- **Principal Investigator:** Dustin May
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** FDA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $150,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10176090

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10176090, Discipline C: Radiochemisty, Analytical Track 2: Capability/Capacity Development - Expansion Alpha (1U19FD007100-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10176090. Licensed CC0.

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