Texas Department of State Health ServicesFood Emergency Response Network Radiological Laboratories RFA-FD-10-004Project Summary/AbstractThe Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has a well equipped radiologicallaboratory that employs seven analysts, and has the capability to respond to radiologicalemergencies. Agriculture is a major industry in Texas, and Texas has several majorports which are active in food importing and exporting. DSHS currently hassurveillance programs to monitor the food supply in Texas. Food and drug inspectorsroutinely collect samples of ground meat, ready to eat meat products, milk and dairyproducts, seafood products, and bay water. These samples are routinely tested by theDSHS laboratory for pathogenic organisms and other toxic substances. Chemicalcompounds and contaminants are monitored in drinking water, bottled water, and foodsamples. Radiological testing is performed on drinking water, bottled water, and manytypes of environmental samples. At this time, the only surveillance program for theradiological testing of food is conducted in the vicinity of the state's two nuclear powerplants and the Pantex Weapons facility.The goals of this project are: (1) provide a reliable source of radiological analyticalcapability that is technically capable and organizationally committed to providingsupport to the FDA in the event of accidental or deliberate radiological contamination ofthe food supply. (2) develop expertise in radiological food testing. (3) build laboratorycapacity to process a larger number and wider variety of samples quickly andaccurately. (4) participate with the other FERN RAD CAP Labs to coordinate twointerlaboratory-comparison emergency response exercises, one in 2012 and the other in2015, as a follow-up to the MENU2010 exercise.This proposal includes funding for two chemists to perform the radiological testing offood surveillance samples, funding to provide necessary training for DSHS laboratoryanalysts to perform the FDA designated analytical methods designated, and funding forexpenses incurred in implementing the FDA designated methods in our laboratory.
Texas Department of State Health Services Food Emergency Response Network Radiological Laboratories RFA-FD-10-004 Project Narrative This proposal addresses the need for a reliable source of radiological analytical capability that is technically capable and organizationally committed to providing support to the FDA in the event of accidental or deliberate radiological contamination of the food supply. Successful completion of the project will result in increased laboratory capability and capacity to analyze foods for radiological contamination and will be demonstrated through two laboratory response exercises.
