Year
1998
Abstract
measurements required to support its program of environmental sampling for safeguards. To assure the quality of these measurements, the IAEA periodically distributes certified test samples to its network laboratories for blind analyses. These certified test samples are prepared from certified reference materials that have been prepared and certified under the supervision of an international oversight group consisting of IRMM, NIST, and NBL. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) provides specialized clean laboratory and instrumentation facilities and technical support as part of a collaboration agreement between IRMM, NBL, and LANL. The goals of the IAEA environmental sampling program impose special requirements for the certified reference material used to prepare the certified test samples. IN addition to the need to test the analytical accuracy and sensitivity of each laboratory, tests for recovery efficiency, blank control, and the ability to identify, isolate and analyze individual particles are also required. Actinide solutions of certified elemental and isotopic content are adequate to test accuracy and sensitivity limits. Actinide free matrix solutions are added to these to test recovery and process blank performance. Testing of the many components of particle analysis requires development of a variety of particles with certified elemental and isotopic content, and certified particle size distribution. A range of particle types, which includes pure ground actinide oxides, actinide doped glass, and multi-element monodispersive particles have been proposed to meet the various needs of the IAEA. This paper describes the status of the ongoing programs to develop and produce the needed certified reference materials and how they are proposed for use.