Wisconsin state laboratory of hygiene FDA fern program grant laboratory flexible funding model (lffm) research program cooperative agreement RFA-FD-25-007 discipline c: radiochemistry - the…

The Food and Drug Administration awarded the University of Wisconsin System's Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene a Cooperative Agreement valued at $600,000 on September 20, 2025, under the Food and Drug Administration Research program (CFDA 93.103).

The Laboratory's Radiochemistry Department will maintain operational readiness to analyze food samples during radiological food emergencies, leveraging analytical capabilities in alpha, beta, and gamma emitter detection across multiple matrices including water, air, milk, vegetation, soil, fish, and foods. The department operates instrumentation including six gamma spectrometers with HPGE detectors, two alpha spectrometers, four gas proportional counters, an automated gas proportional counter with 50-sample capacity, and a liquid scintillation counter. The Trace Elements Clean Laboratory within the Environmental Health Division houses ICP-MS instrumentation available for radiological emergency analysis. The Laboratory has maintained membership in the Food Emergency Response Network for 18 years and coordinates with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, FDA, FEMA, and EPA.

The award runs through June 30, 2030. Work is performed in Madison, Wisconsin. The Laboratory is part of the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health's Environmental Health Division.

Wisconsin state laboratory of hygiene FDA fern program grant laboratory flexible funding model (lffm) research program cooperative agreement RFA-FD-25-007 discipline c: radiochemistry - the wisconsin state laboratory of hygiene (wslh) is wisconsin's premier public and environmental health laboratory and is part of the world-renowned university of wisconsin - madison school of medicine and public health, with a mission to improve and protect the human condition by providing accurate and precise testing, service, research and education. The radiochemistry department is housed within the environmental health division (EHD) of the wslh. The radiochemistry department has been a member of the food emergency response network (fern) for 18 years and interacts with members from state agencies such as the wisconsin department of health services and federal agencies: FDA, FEMA, and EPA. The funding provided by the fern agreements has been critical in the radiochemistry department's success. IT has enabled the department to maintain readiness to analyze food samples if called upon during a radiological food emergency. The radiochemistry department is applying for all three tracks (C1, C2, C3) in the radiochemistry discipline listed in nofo: RFA-FD-25-007. The department has 4 chemical fume hoods for sample processing and separation, 6 gamma spectrometers (hpge detectors), 2 alpha spectrometers (8 channels each), 4 gas proportional counters (4 detectors each), an automated gas proportional counter (50 sample capacity) and a liquid scintillation counter. The trace elements clean laboratory (housed within EHD at wslh) has ICP-MS instrumentation that could also be utilized for analysis in a radiological food emergency. The department has trained staff experienced in analyzing alpha emitters (am, PU, UR, gross alpha), beta emitters (SR-90, h-3, gross beta), and gamma emitters for a variety of matrices (water, air, milk, vegetation, soil, fish, and an assortment of foods (successfully completed all fern food challenge samples). In addition, the laboratory has worked on a variety of FDA sponsored projects, recent projects include: "lffm multi-lab validation study on screening for gross alpha and beta in food using GPC and LSC" and "radiostrontium matrix extension study". The unit is audited and accredited by the EPA and was recently audited by FEMA with no deficiencies cited. The unit has validated sops in place to analyze a variety of radionuclides with different matrices and adheres to strict quality control parameters that includes participation in a variety of proficiency testing programs to show competency. We are centrally located within the united states, in a critical part of the nation's food network. We also have numerous power plants located in or near the state's border that we provide surveillance for (over 900 surveillance samples per year). Our laboratory has significant experience in emergency response events and exercises. The radiochemistry department has the instrumentation, validated methods, experienced staff and the knowledge in place, as well as the capacity and capabilities, to analyze samples in the event of a radiological food emergency and to exceed all aims specified in the funding opportunity. The funding associated with this grant is critical in maintaining these capacities and capabilities.