INTRODUCTION

The introductory paragraphs to the existing glossaries on nuclear and radioanalytical techniques are quoted below as they succinctly express the thought and motivation that went into the current effort. Without these documents, the current endeavor would have been a burdensome task indeed.

Introduction from the 1982 IUPAC "Glossary of terms used in Nuclear Analytical Chemistry".

"This glossary lists close to 400 terms and definitions commonly used in radiochemistry, with emphasis on radioanalytical chemistry. Part of the definitions have been taken, sometimes with minor modifications, from existing glossaries of such organizations as the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission. In cases where no acceptable definition could be found, a new definition is proposed."

Introduction from "Nomenclature for Radioanalytical Chemistry" prepared by R. Van Grieken et al. (in press).

"Recently IUPAC has issued a Glossary of Terms used in Nuclear Analytical Chemistry (Pure and Appl. Chem., Vol. 54, No 8, pp. 1533-1554, 1982), listing nearly 400 terms which are of interest in nuclear analysis. In the present compilation a number of definitions from this IUPAC- Glossary have been repeated. However less emphasis was placed on terms from the realm of nuclear technology, nuclear physics and radioactivity measurements; for such terms, the Glossary should be consulted. In the present work, many new terms have been included, which are relevant in radiometric analysis, in radioimmunoassay and related techniques. As far as possible, these definitions have been taken from existing compilations by organizations active in the field of clinical chemistry, sometimes with minor modifications, while, in cases where no acceptable definition could be found, a new definition is proposed.

The choice of the terms has mostly been based on practical experience. We selected these terms which were either ambiguous or confusing hitherto, or which are not obvious or clear to beginning workers in radioanalytical chemistry.

It is hoped that the present nomenclature will be useful to chemists and physicists who use radioactivity, in any way, for the purpose of quantitative analysis, and to those working in clinical chemistry, biochemistry, nuclear medicine and related disciplines."

The glossary on the following pages includes more than 1000 entries. Of these items, just over 100 appear (as definitions or cross references to definitions) in all previous sources. However, several hundred appear in none of the previous sources. Some are omissions. Most reflect the continued, significant growth in methods and development of new techniques. Many acronyms have been included as well, a decision motivated by their proliferating utilization, unfortunately often without clarification in many publications. It is anticipated that many terms or important acronyms are missing from the list. The author would appreciate input from the practicing community. Listings with previously approved IUPAC definitions exist have kept those definitions in almost all circumstances.

The Glossary has no legal status and is not intended to serve as a basis for adjudicating on problems of definition such as might arise in litigation of any sort.

Glossary