Description
H. Hernández-Mendoza, L. Paredes-Gutiérrez
Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares
Departamento de Química Nuclear
Ocoyoacac, Mex., Mexico
Abstract.
According to recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mexico is taking steps to combat illicit trafficking of nuclear material. The creation of a National Research Laboratory in Nuclear Forensic (LANAFONU its acronym in Spanish; Laboratorio Nacional de Investigaciones en Forense Nuclear) has been assigned to Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares (ININ).
The aims of this laboratory is to combat illicit trafficking of nuclear material, optimize the scientific processes and techniques used to analyze nuclear material (orphan radioactive sources), measure the effect of ionizing radiation of possible exposure –acute or chronic- as consequence of manipulation, management, transport, and final storage.
LANAFONU facility will be able to analyze and optimize protocols for emergency and routine to measure alpha, gamma and beta emitters in environmental and biological samples from nuclear sources, using analytical methodology in Nuclear Forensic and address situations of radiological emergencies from a nuclear chemist viewpoint, where occupationally exposed personnel were involved (POE) and population.
Among the activities programmed, The National Laboratory will have in 2014-2016 the following facilities: i) an infrastructure project for the acquisition of highly sensitive equipment to measure radionuclides with long half-life, ii) new preparative laboratories and measurements, iii) development of radiochemical methods using mass spectrometry and radiometric for routine situations and nuclear emergencies, iv) participation in scientific technical committee on nuclear forensics, v) participation in international inter-comparison exercises to optimize and validate methods vi) nuclear forensic knowledge and contribute to the formation of nuclear forensic experts to combat illicit trafficking of nuclear material, and vii) consolidation of LANAFONU at the IAEA.
Finally, the laboratory has the challenge to establish collaborations in nuclear forensic investigations with other countries and to acquire international standard parameters to perform this type of analysis.
Speaker
Ms
L. Paredes-Gutierrez
(Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares)
