Programs of the IAEA utilizing nuclear analytical techniques in the life sciences

Nuclear analytical techniques have an important role in the IAEA in life sciences programs relating to human health. A major effort has recently been devoted to the determination of dietary intakes of trace elements, including studies in some countries affected by the Chernobyl accident. The same accident stimulated interest in using 129I (as determined by NAA and other techniques) to trace the distribution of fission products in the environment. Other research topics concern solid wastes, air pollution, exposure to mercury in selected human populations, and osteoporosis (including NAA studies of trace elements in human bone). Much of the IAEA's work is concerned with analytical quality control; new reference materials in preparation include lichen (for trace elements) and human hair (for total and methyl mercury).