Society’s acceptance of the risks associated with radiation is naturally conditioned by the net benefits that can be obtained by using nuclear technologies or radioactive materials. As nuclear technologies are experiencing continuous development, playing a vital role in numerous sectors, offering significant benefits for humanity and supporting advancements in science, industry or healthcare, the issue of protecting people and the environment has become increasingly important, making radiation protection actions essential for safeguarding human health and preserving environmental integrity.

By establishing and maintaining a Radiation Protection Program that comprises a set of effective radiation protection measures, a permanent surveillance and control of the nuclear facility operation is allowed, with the aim to avoid the occurrence of nuclear or radiological events and to limit and reduce the radioactive emission in the environment, in order to reduce the risks of exposure of the personnel and the population and the negative consequences on the environment.  At Mioveni platform, the routine activities of the Radiation Protection, Environmental Protection and Civil Protection Laboratory (LRPMPC) of RATEN ICN, within the framework of the Radiation Protection Program consist of: 

• Control of liquid and gaseous effluents from the nuclear installations
• Environmental radioactivity monitoring
• Workplace radiological monitoring
• Monitoring the exposure of personnel

These activities include also the emergency preparedness and response and training of personnel concerning radiation protection.
Recently, the RATEN ICN LRPMPC infrastructure was modernized, and now includes laboratory spaces equipped with systems that allow staff to carry out their activities in optimal conditions.

Radiochemistry laboratory (sample preparation) (© RATEN ICN)

Internal dosimetry laboratory (sample preparation) (© RATEN ICN)

Lately, a series of analytical methods have been developed and implemented within the laboratory, such as:

• Direct measurement of radiation fields
• Assessment of radioactive contamination
• Identification and quantitative determination of gamma-emitting radionuclides 
• Determination of Sr-90 content in milk, dairy products and fish
• Determination of uranium content in urine samples
• Determination of uranium contamination of air in workplaces
• Determination of atmospheric air radioactivity 
• Determination of natural uranium content in water, soil and vegetation
• Determination of gross beta activity
• Measurement of beta activity of samples by LSC
• Determination of actinide content in aqueous samples, soil, aerosol filters and biological samples, by alpha-particle spectrometry
• Determination of uranium isotopic composition of materials, by gamma-ray spectrometry
• Radiological characterization of materials by in situ gamma-ray spectrometry
• Determination of beryllium content of urine samples
• Determination of tritium concentration in air
• Determination of Ra-226 and Ra-228 content of drinking water, by LSC
• Determination of Po-210 content in aqueous, environmental and biological samples 
• Determination of radon concentration in air
• Determination of C-14 concentration in aqueous samples.

LRPMPC is formally recognized by the national nuclear regulatory authority (CNCAN), as a testing laboratory, with a quality system compliant to ISO 17025 requirements. 
The Radiation Protection, Environmental Protection and Civil Protection Laboratory (LRPMPC) of RATEN ICN is member of IAEA Analytical Laboratories for the Measurement of Environmental Radioactivity (ALMERA) Network since 2005 and is participating annually in environmental radioactivity proficiency tests organized by the Network. The ALMERA Network represents a cooperative effort of analytical laboratories world-wide. 
The tests are designed to identify analytical problems, to help members states to maintain their accreditation and to provide knowledge and technology transfer in this area.

Participation of laboratories in the network activities results in:

• Demonstration of technical competence of ALMERA laboratories through participation in proficiency tests;
• Wider application of recommended validated methods and methodological harmonization, leading to enhanced world-wide comparability of environmental radioactivity measurement results;
• Shared information on available analytical capabilities and expertise, which facilitates the identification of laboratories with competence in specific areas of interest, particularly in emergency situations.

Many of the analytical methods implemented in the LRPMPC have been tested in the proficiency tests over the years and the regular participation to the Network activities has allowed to assess the laboratory performance and to identify the analytical problems and the source of errors, and to improve the overall laboratory performance including analytical protocols and personnel expertise, through the implementation of corrective actions and development of new analytical procedures.