Simple, rapid access to radionuclides experiments Experts working on developing standards or guidelines relating to exposure to radioactive materials can benefit from the development of an enhanced database which consolidates data from over 1,900 experiments on the subject. Energy © Shutterstock Radionuclides play an important role in technologies such as food preservation, agriculture and medicine and as such, the processes which provide us with food, water and good health. However, radionuclides also have the potential to induce very harmful effects. A concerted research effort entitled EULEP, aimed at improving the reliability of assessments made which evaluate the dangers related to the of intake of radionuclides. These assessments deliver an evaluation of the result of doses delivered either to workers, the environment (in the case of accidental releases) and to the general public. Because of the scope of the assessment, it is integral that the information provided is highly accurate. The research teams went about their work by conducting a review of all the current available literature on the subject of biokinetics of radioactive compounds. The experiments concerned different ways of intake, inhalation, injection, ingestion and wounds. Since the aim of the research was to elucidate available information, one of the tasks conducted by the team was to collate all updated research findings into a single database. This database contains about 1,900 experiments from some 700 references. Information is held on 62 elements. The format of the database updated and enhanced by the researchers facilitates extension, distribution and retrieval of information. There are drop-down lists for frequently used terms and specific fields for data entry, and there are also links to spreadsheets and hyperlinks. Furthermore, the database can be searched using a web browser via the Internet. All this facilitates the ease with which information can be retrieved and shared between researchers.
