Twenty-five years ago, the IAEA formed a worldwide network of analytical laboratories to increase global expertise in radioactivity measurement in the environment. Today, the network of Analytical Laboratories for the Measurement of Environmental Radioactivity (ALMERA) is made up of 190 laboratories in 89 countries, pooling their expertise to enhance global capacity for assessing the levels, dynamics and impact of radionuclides in terrestrial, atmospheric and aquatic environments.
To mark the milestone, 180 analytical experts from around the world met online for the annual Coordination Meeting of ALMERA, held from November 30 to 2 December. They shared knowledge and expertise and discussed new ways of expanding the Network's capacity.
Deriving from various human activities that involve the use of radioactive materials in medicine, scientific research, agriculture and industry, the operation of various facilities that are part of the nuclear fuel cycle, radionuclides make their way into the environment. Understanding the behaviour of these radionuclides in the environment helps experts to estimate their distribution in case of large accidental releases. This provides radiation safety specialists and decision makers with the necessary information to better assess risks and potential impacts to humans and the environment.
In her welcoming remarks to participants, Florence Descroix-Comanducci, Director of the IAEA Environment Laboratories said that "the ALMERA network offers a unique mechanism for reliable and timely determination of radionuclides in samples such as air, water, soil, sediment and vegetation from different parts of the world, enabling Member States to use the data for routine and emergency environmental monitoring."
Tools and services provided through the network have evolved significantly over the years, participants have said. "ALMERA annual forums are important for sharing knowledge among members and for continuous improvement towards achieving excellence in analytical methods through services like Proficiency Tests or Interlaboratory Comparisons," said Michel Bruggeman, Head of the Low-Level Radioactivity Measurements Laboratory of the SCK·CEN Belgian Nuclear Research Centre.
Over past decades, the IAEA's proficiency tests and inter-laboratory comparison exercises for radionuclides in environmental and food samples have become fundamental to ALMERA laboratories' routine and emergency preparedness and response environmental monitoring activities. These exercises are designed to demonstrate and monitor the performance and analytical capabilities of participating laboratories. Training and development of guidance address analytical challenges identified through proficiency tests and interlaboratory comparisons. Through such methodological and data quality support received from the IAEA, member laboratories are enabled to provide internationally acceptable radioanalytical data.
"The IAEA initiatives in Africa through ALMERA and the technical cooperation programme are very important means to strengthen regional capabilities for the measurement of environmental radioactivity. Through the latest project in the region on supporting environmental radioactivity, 493 participants have received training in 32 training events enhancing the skills and competencies of participants from laboratories in the region," said Immanada Louw, Senior Scientist at the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation.
Despite the COVID-19 situation, the 2020 Proficiency Test was organized and evaluated in a timely manner and feedback was provided to the participants at the coordination meeting.
