A laboratory information management system for the analysis of tritium (3H) in environmental waters

Appl Radiat Isot. 2018 Jul:137:139-146. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2018.03.001. Epub 2018 Mar 9.

Abstract

Accurate and precise measurements of low levels of tritium (3H) in environmental waters are difficult to attain due to complex steps of sample preparation, electrolytic enrichment, liquid scintillation decay counting, and extensive data processing. We present a Microsoft Access™ relational database application, TRIMS (Tritium Information Management System) to assist with sample and data processing of tritium analysis by managing the processes from sample registration and analysis to reporting and archiving. A complete uncertainty propagation algorithm ensures tritium results are reported with robust uncertainty metrics. TRIMS will help to increase laboratory productivity and improve the accuracy and precision of 3H assays. The software supports several enrichment protocols and LSC counter types. TRIMS is available for download at no cost from the IAEA at www.iaea.org/water.

Keywords: Data management; Deuterium; Electrolysis; Identical treatment; Radioisotopes; Tritium; Uncertainty; Water.

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Laboratory Information Systems* / statistics & numerical data
  • Electrolysis
  • Information Management / methods
  • Information Management / statistics & numerical data
  • Quality Control
  • Reference Standards
  • Scintillation Counting
  • Software
  • Software Design
  • Tritium / analysis*
  • Tritium / standards
  • User-Computer Interface
  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive / analysis*
  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive / standards
  • Water Pollution, Radioactive / analysis

Substances

  • Water Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Tritium