title: Determination of carbon-14 in environmental level, solid reference materials.
abstract: An intercomparison exercise to determine the (14)C activity concentrations in a range of solid, environmental level materials was conducted between laboratories in the UK. IAEA reference materials, C2, C6 and C7, and an in-house laboratory QA material were dispatched in 2006 to ten laboratories comprising of members of the Analyst Informal Working Group (AIWG) and one other invited party. The laboratories performed the determinations using a number of techniques, and using the results each one was evaluated in terms of levels of precision, sensitivity and limits of detection. The results of the study show that all techniques are capable of successfully analysing (14)C in environmental level materials, however, a shortage of certified environmental reference materials exists. The suitability of the IAEA reference materials and other material for use as reference materials was also assessed.
authors.affiliation: Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0HT, UK. paul.blowers@cefas.co.uk
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Blowers
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Caborn
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dell
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gingell
authors.forename: Arvic
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harms
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Darren
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sleep
authors.forename: Charlie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Phil E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Warwick
mesh_terms: D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D057230:Limit of Detection; D011786:Quality Control; D012015:Reference Standards; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes