Measuring radioactivity is key for nuclear safety, compliance and scientific integrity in healthcare, environmental monitoring, energy and defence. Hospitals and radiopharmaceutical manufacturers depend on precise measurements for safe dosing during treatment, while regulators, environmental agencies and defence organisations need reliable data to manage nuclear and radiological risks. Assessing radioactivity levels is equally important for the nuclear industry – both for daily operations and decommissioning – as well as for test and supply chain companies verifying the performance of their instruments. Radionuclide testing relies on properly calibrated instruments, and the use of radioactive calibration standards prevents errors that could lead to incorrect medical dosages, environmental damage or safety and security threats.
The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) provides radionuclide standards with full traceability, high purity and low uncertainty for accurate calibration. These solutions align with IAEA safety standards and are accredited by UKAS under the ISO/IEC 17025 standard, ensuring laboratories meet the highest global benchmarks. NPL also offers radioactive air filters, radioactive gas standards, proficiency testing, consultancy and training to help laboratories maintain accreditation and meet regulatory requirements.
Accurate radiation dosimetry is critical in nuclear medicine for ensuring that patients receive the right dose for safe and effective diagnosis and treatment. Hospitals rely on calibrated measurements for patient care, while radiopharmaceutical manufacturers use precise activity data to meet strict quality and regulatory standards. NPL provides certified, high‑purity standards for radionuclide testing – including F‑18, Tc‑99m and Lu‑177 – helping users to reduce uncertainty and enabling advances in cancer and cardiac diagnostics. NPL also supports the medical physics community in driving innovation and improving patient outcomes.
Environmental monitoring involves detecting trace levels of radioactivity in marine and terrestrial environments, enabling early hazard identification to protect public health and meet regulatory requirements. NPL offers a comprehensive range of certified liquid radioactivity reference standards that laboratories can use for accurate calibration. These high‑purity materials minimise background interference, enhance confidence in measurement accuracy, and support the evolving demands of environmental monitoring.
Governments and defence agencies rely on accurate radioactivity measurements to protect national security. Nuclear forensics, radiological incident preparedness and radiation protection require rapid and accurate assessment of radioactivity levels to initiate appropriate action in the event of a radiological threat. NPL supplies certified radioactive tracers and high‑purity standards that reduce uncertainty and support novel detection technologies, helping agencies to maintain readiness and respond effectively.
Industries that use radioactive materials are required to precisely measure radioactivity. This is especially important in nuclear decommissioning, as proper classification of waste will have both an economic and environmental impact. NPL supports these industries by providing nuclear metrology services – including radionuclide testing and calibration using radioactive calibration standards – to help classify waste, optimise industrial processes and reduce the risk of non-compliance.
Manufacturers must demonstrate that their radioactivity measurement instruments meet strict quality standards before they reach the market, and calibration plays a central role in ensuring their accuracy and reliability. NPL supports this process by providing ultra‑pure radioactive calibration standards that help manufacturers to reduce calibration errors, improve the quality of their products and support the development of new technologies.