IEMA Radiochemistry Lab one of nine in U.S. Selected for Federal training
Will enhance State, Federal response capabilities

[July 07, 2015]  SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Emergency Management Agency’s radiochemistry laboratory is one of nine labs in the nation selected to participate in on-site training aimed at increasing state and federal capabilities to respond to a potential nuclear or radiological incident.

The training is a joint initiative of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Office of Radiation and Indoor Air and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The training will take place July 7-9 at IEMA’s lab in Springfield.

“Our radiochemistry lab has long been recognized as one of the best in the country and we’re excited to have the opportunity to take part in this very important training,” said IEMA Director James K. Joseph.

Joseph said a major nuclear or radiological incident anywhere in the U.S. could necessitate support from all federal and state radiochemistry laboratories, including IEMA’s lab.

In addition to maintaining readiness to respond to an incident, IEMA’s laboratory supports the agency’s environmental monitoring program. IEMA routinely collects water, air and vegetation samples from areas surrounding the six operating nuclear power stations, one shuttered nuclear power station and other radioactive material facilities within the state.

These samples are tested by IEMA’s radiochemistry laboratory to determine if a public health and/or environmental radiological impact exists. The agency publishes annual environmental monitoring reports on its website at http://www .illinois.gov/iema/NRS/Pages/Environmental_ MonitoringReports.aspx .

[Patti Thompson, Illinois Emergency Management Agency]