THE RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATION LABORATORY PLOVDIV

The Radioactive Contamination Measurements Laboratory in Plovdiv was established in 1969 with the aim of carrying out the monitoring of atmospheric air, fallout, and surface, underground and drinking waters as a part of the National Radioactive Monitoring System of the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

Since 1970 the Laboratory have carried out the radioactivity monitoring of air, fallout, rainfalls, surface and drinking water in the territory of Central South Bulgaria.

The Radioactive Contamination Measurements Laboratory played an important role in the National Emergency Monitoring Program during the Chernobyl accident, measuring radioactivity in the air, fallout, drinking waters and foods as well as in post -Chernobyl monitoring of the environment in Bulgaria.

The Radioactive Contamination Measurements Laboratory was certified in accordance with international standard EN 45001 (order -66/11.02.1997) by the National Accreditation Authority as a laboratory for testing radioactivity in the air, waters, fallout, food, building materials, and vegetable and animal products in 1997. In 2001 the National Accreditation Authority confirmed the accreditation of the laboratory. (Order 54/ 5.03.2001). Now the Laboratory is in the process of being certified in accordance with the new standard ISO/IEC 17 0025:2001.

The work of the laboratory is based on well-developed quality management system.

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING ACTIVITIES

The Radioactive Contamination Measurements Laboratory carry out the radioactivity monitoring of the air, rainfall, dry and wet atmospheric deposition in the region of South Bulgaria.

Among others, we could underline the following most significant references:
" Monitoring of drinking and underground waters in the region of uranium production through chemical extraction (1991-2002)
" Radiological monitoring of the drinking water in the region of South Central Bulgaria according to Bulgarian, EU, NNS EPA standards. (Contracts with the Regional Water Supply Company, Plovdiv. (1988 - 1993), (1998 - 2003)

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES

The Radioactive Contamination Measurements Laboratory is developing its capacity and participating activities in the evaluation of different nuclear methods and evaluation of their impact on the environment.

Among others, we could underline the following most significant references:
" Comparative calibration studies of control of deposited tehnogenic gamma- radionuclides through the methods of aero-geophysics and low-level background laboratory gamma spectroscopy (1989) Contract No 30/1989 Committee on the Use of Atomic Energy for peaceful purposes

- National Complex Environmental Inspection of Radiation Protection of NPP Kozloduy. Laboratory participated in the and adjacent areas as an independent laboratory. (1990) Contract April 1990 with Committee on the Use of Atomic Energy for peaceful purposes

- Environmental Impact Assessment of the hydro-geotechnological leaching of uranium in South Bulgaria, Redki Metali Company (Rare Metals), "Thracia" mining branch of Redki Metali Company (1990-1991)

- Environmental monitoring of the cessation of uranium production through leaching. Assessment of the consequences of the cessation of uranium production through chemical extraction (1991-1995).

- Environmental monitoring of the bio-cultivation of areas in which uranium production has ceased. (1991-2001)

RADIATION CONTROL CONSULTANCY ON TECHNOLOGIES

Thorium measurement in order to control the production of optical components manufactured through the vacuum evaporation method, Laser Techniques Ltd. , 1990-1992

RADIOACTIVITY TESTING ACTIVITIES

The Radioactive Contamination Measurements Laboratory provides radioactivity measurement services for more than 100 companies that export goods to EU countries, the U.S., the Middle East, etc.

Among larger clients are:
Bulgarian Tobacco Company, Water Supply Company, Regional Chemical Testing Laboratory, Tobacco Institute Plovdiv, Neohim Ltd., Daimon Ltd, AIE Agro Agroimportrtexprort Ltd. etc.

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

The Radioactive Contamination Measurements Laboratory is involved in many research projects.

Some highlights:

- Optimization of sampling and measurement techniques for the purposes of radionuclides monitoring of the rainfall, (2004)

- Time and area distribution of low level activities of thechnogenic radionuclides in the surface air and fallout ever the territory of Bulgaria (1990)

- Study on the content of tritium in mineral water in Bulgaria (with Radiochemical Laboratory, Chemical Department, University of Sofia) (1994)

- Study on the variation on radon -222 concentrations and the content of some geo- chemical components in mineral waters in Bulgaria for the purposes of earthquake prediction in Bulgaria (1991 -1993) .

- Optimization of thorium measurement methods for determination of radiation status of indoor and outdoor environment. (1990)

- Study on micro physic characteristics of hail stones, Ministry of Education, Science Fund, 1994