NIST radiopharmaceutical standard reference materials and the NEI/NIST radiopharmaceutical measurement assurance program

Abstract

In cooperation with the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) supervises and administers two measurement assurance programs for radioactivity measurement traceability. One, in existence since the mid 1970s, provides traceability to suppliers of radiochemicals and radiopharmaceuticals, dose calibrators, and nuclear pharmacy services. The second program, begun in 1987, provides traceability to the nuclear power industry for utilities, source suppliers, and service laboratories. The radiopharmaceutical program is described and the results of measurements of samples of known, but undisclosed, activity, prepared at NIST and measured by the participants, are presented. NIST Radiopharmaceutical Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) are also produced as part of this program, and these are described.