Radiometric laboratories

The ISIN radiometric laboratories carry out measurement and investigation activities to support the tasks and institutional activities of the Inspectorate in the field of environmental radioactivity control.

The laboratories are equipped to carry out investigations aimed at the radiometric characterization of specific sites of interest, the determination of the state of the environment, through measurements performed on environmental samples and on specific materials that may represent a source of contamination. The laboratory structure is built and authorized to receive and process samples with low concentrations of activity.

The main activities are aimed at:

· technical-scientific support in the field of surveillance of nuclear installations, carried out through investigations around nuclear sites and control measures on effluents;

· characterization of industrial materials containing radionuclides of natural origin (NORM), with particular attention to the Remediation Sites of National Interest (SIN) in which there are disused plants and landfills containing massive quantities of NORM;

· technical and scientific support in cases of radiological emergencies, for the purpose of assessing the state of the environment and the health protection of the population and workers.

The laboratories also provide support to public administrations and judicial authorities in matters of radioactivity in the environment and in food and in the development of remediation and intervention plans in contaminated sites with the presence of radioactive materials. To carry out the tasks described, the laboratories are able to perform gamma spectrometry and radiochemistry measurements (alpha spectrometry and beta counts) for non-gamma emitting radionuclides.

The Inspectorate is also equipped with a laboratory dedicated to measuring the concentration of radon gas in the air, which is mainly used for indoor investigations in places of public interest (schools, workplaces, etc.).

ISIN also manages the Laboratory for the Measurement of Radioactivity in Atmospheric Particulate Matter, called ITL10, of the International Monitoring System (IMS), on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in compliance with the United Nations Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).

The Treaty provides for the ban of all nuclear tests and in order for it to enter into force, it must be signed and ratified by at least 44 of the 196 main member states. Currently, several states have not yet signed or ratified the treaty.

The International Monitoring System consists of a set of detection networks: seismic, infrasonic, hydroacoustic and atmospheric radioactivity.

The ITL10 laboratory is one of 16 laboratories strategically distributed across all continents capable of performing highly specialized and sensitive measurements of radioactivity in atmospheric particulate matter and which represent the state of the art for this type of measurement. The analyses are capable of detecting and characterizing traces of radionuclides in the air due to a nuclear event, anywhere in the world it may occur, also estimating the date of occurrence. The additional information available to the International Monitoring System also allows us to establish their origin. The ITL10 laboratory was officially certified on 14 December 2016.