Preparedness intercomparison of passive H*(10) area photon dosemeters in 2017/2018 (IC2017prep)

Abstract

This intercomparison serves to investigate the long-term behaviour of passive H*(10) dosemeters which may be used in the aftermath of a radiological or nuclear event. In routine operation, such dosemeters are generally used to monitor installations like nuclear power plants and accelerators. Such dosemeters are used in the radiation field of the natural ambient radiation, including terrestrial and secondary cosmic radiation. From October 2017 to April 2018, photon dosemeters of 38 dosimetry systems were exposed to ionising radiation at three dosimetric reference sites which are operated by the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB). In addition to measurements which were carried out under natural conditions, a number of dosemeters was also irradiated artificially under two angles in PTB's photon fields. 34 measuring bodies and institutions which are mainly involved in ambient radiation monitoring in Europe took part in this intercomparison in which the response of the dosemeters to terrestrial and also to secondary cosmic radiation was determined. As a result of this intercomparison, some sources of uncertainty and some errors were found. The intercomparison revealed the typical precision that has to be expected when long-term dose measurements are carried out in the natural environment. The successful participation in this intercomparison was documented by certificates that were issued to the participants. The short designation of this intercomparison is “IC2017prep”.