The new QST bioassay laboratory in Chiba, Japan

Japan's National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST) was designated as the core radiation emergency medical support center by the country's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) in 2019. One of the main missions of the QST is to maintain and improve its dose assessment capability for radiation-exposed individuals. Toward the goal of effectively fulfilling this mission, a new facility-the Dose Assessment Building for Advanced Radiation Emergency Medicine-was constructed at the Chiba base of the QST in 2020. An integrated bioassay laboratory was installed in this facility for assessing subjects' internal doses, along with a new integrated in vivo counter. The bioassay capability of the new laboratory is currently expected to screen 5-10 persons simultaneously assuming internal contamination with actinides such as Pu, Am/Cm and U, although this is dependent on the specific contamination circumstances.

Automated summary

Japan's National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology (QST) has been designated as the core radiation emergency medical support center and has constructed a new building for dose assessment at its Chiba base. The new facility includes an integrated bioassay laboratory and a new integrated in vivo counter. The laboratory is expected to have the capability to screen 5-10 individuals simultaneously for internal contamination with actinides.