ISO/IEC 17025:2005-accredited Beta Analytic is a tracer-free laboratory. We do not accept pharmaceutical samples with “tracer Carbon-14” and other materials containing artificial Carbon-14, in order to eliminate the risk of cross-contamination. This policy is part of our commitment to provide high-quality results to all our clients.
Pharmaceutical companies evaluate drug metabolism by using a radiolabeled version of the drug under investigation. AMS biomedical laboratories use Carbon-14 as a tracer because it can easily substitute Carbon-12 atoms in the drug molecule and it is relatively safe to handle. However, since the artificial Carbon-14 used in these studies is phenomenally high (enormous) relative to natural levels and once used in an AMS laboratory becomes ubiquitous, cross-contamination within the AMS and the chemistry lines cannot be avoided. Although this may be acceptable in a biomedical AMS facility, it is not acceptable in a radiocarbon dating facility.
Take advantage of our expertise:
– Beta Analytic was one of the key developers of the ASTM D6866 method and has served as technical adviser to all the major biobased standardization initiatives worldwide including the European methods CEN 16137 and EN 15440.
– Since 1979, ISO/IEC 17025:2005-accredited Beta Analytic has been the world leader in Carbon-14 measurements.
– Beta Analytic has unparalleled expertise with complex biobased samples.
Fast service with no subcontractors
We do not subcontract work to other labs. Our policy is to have direct contact with our clients, maintain complete chain of custody in quality control, use our own AMS machines, and have a complete working knowledge of each analysis to best answer questions once results are available.
We are able to offer such rapid service because all analyses are done in-house; we have multiple accelerators and a dedicated full-time staff of technicians and scientists working overtime, if necessary, to meet the promised delivery times.
For inquiries, please email us at info@betalabservices.com or call +(1) 305-662-7760.
References:
Memory effects in an AMS system: Catastrophe and Recovery. J. S. Vogel, J.R. Southon, D.E. Nelson. Radiocarbon, Vol 32, No. 1, 1990, p. 81-83 doi:10.2458/azu_js_rc.32.1252 (Open Access)
Recovery from tracer contamination in AMS sample preparation. A. J. T. Jull, D. J. Donahue, L. J. Toolin. Radiocarbon, Vol. 32, No.1, 1990, p. 84-85 doi:10.2458/azu_js_rc.32.1253 (Open Access)
Prevention and removal of elevated radiocarbon contamination in the LLNL/CAMS natural radiocarbon sample preparation laboratory. Zermeño, et. al. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms Vol. 223-224, 2004, p. 293-297
doi: 10.1016/j.nimb.2004.04.058
High level 14C contamination and recovery at XI’AN AMS center. Zhou, et. al. Radiocarbon, Vol 54, No. 2, 2012, p. 187-193 doi:10.2458/azu_js_rc.54.16045