Aiming for a clean and non-toxic environment

The three-year project will bring together 22 European research institutes and universities from 13 countries. The Finnish participants are the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) and the University of Helsinki.

The overall aim of the project is to improve the ability to trace the origin of environmental pollutants and contaminants. Another aim of the project is to harmonise the measurement methods of both radioactive and non-radioactive (stable) isotopes of polluting elements.

The project will produce, among other things, radionuclide standards and reference materials for use in assessing the performance of various mass spectrometric applications. STUK participates in the measurement of standards and reference materials. Senior Inspector Meerit Kämäräinen from STUK's Environmental Radiation Surveillance Department says that in addition to developing mass spectrometry, STUK will contribute to the project by its radiochemical and gamma spectrometry expertise.

Two methods are used for determining the substances. Radioactive substances are identified by measuring the radiation emitted by them. Non-radioactive substances, on the other hand, are identified by mass spectrometry. Mass spectrometry can also be used for identifying long-lived radioactive pollutants.

According to Meerit Kämäräinen, it is not easy to reconcile the results of these two methods, but if the gap can be narrowed, the traceability of pollutants will improve. The aim is to obtain more reliable measurement results from ultra-low concentrations using commonly available mass spectrometers. Meerit Kämäräinen also believes the project will deliver harmonised guidelines that clarify the measurements.

The project has been launched in support of the European Union's Green Deal programme, which aims for a clean and non-toxic environment.