9352037 Ensor The presence of alpha emitting isotopes in the environment, whether from natural sources or as the result of man-made activities, is of increasing concern to scientists and the population as a whole. A photon electron rejecting alpha liquid scintillation (PERALS) spectrometer provides a fast, accurate, and efficient method to quantify alpha activity free from the interferences caused by beta and gamma emissions generally present in environmental samples. Students are using this spectrometer in a number of new experiments in Radiochemistry and Environmental Chemistry and in projects in an undergraduate research course. Students enrolled in these courses include not only chemistry majors, but students from civil and chemical engineering, geology, biology, and secondary education science. The PERALS system is giving these students hands-on experience with the most modern counting equipment, and is allowing them to gain insight into the procedures for and the difficulties in the assay of alpha emitters in the environment. ***
