Comparison of methods for H*(10) calculation from measured LaBr3(Ce) detector spectra

Spectro-dosemeter-based gamma dose rate network in Germany

As a consequence of the Chernobyl accident in 1986 the Integrated Measurement and Information System (IMIS) was established (Weiss and Leeb, 1993) which includes on-line monitoring networks for the surveillance of radioactivity in Germany. Today, the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) operates a gamma dose rate network with 1800 ambient dose equivalent rate H*(10) (ADER) stations almost equally distributed over the German territory. The ADER network integrates Geiger-Müller (GM) based detectors which, if low and high dose rate tubes are combined, are known to have excellent long-term stability and an extended dose rate range from environmental background level (20 nSv/h) up to several Sv/h. However, one main drawback is the lack of information about nuclides contributing to the observed dose rate. Therefore BfS has started to integrate LaBr₃-based spectrometric detector systems (so-called spectro-dosemeters) in the existing ADER network. In this paper detector design, quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures are described as well as efforts required to characterize and operate monitoring networks based on spectrometric detectors.

EURADOS STRATEGIC RESEARCH AGENDA 2020: VISION FOR THE DOSIMETRY OF IONISING RADIATION

Since 2012, the European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS) has developed its Strategic Research Agenda (SRA), which contributes to the identification of future research needs in radiation dosimetry in Europe. Continued scientific developments in this field necessitate regular updates and, consequently, this paper summarises the latest revision of the SRA, with input regarding the state of the art and vision for the future contributed by EURADOS Working Groups and through a stakeholder workshop. Five visions define key issues in dosimetry research that are considered important over at least the next decade. They include scientific objectives and developments in (i) updated fundamental dose concepts and quantities, (ii) improved radiation risk estimates deduced from epidemiological cohorts, (iii) efficient dose assessment for radiological emergencies, (iv) integrated personalised dosimetry in medical applications and (v) improved radiation protection of workers and the public. This SRA will be used as a guideline for future activities of EURADOS Working Groups but can also be used as guidance for research in radiation dosimetry by the wider community. It will also be used as input for a general European research roadmap for radiation protection, following similar previous contributions to the European Joint Programme for the Integration of Radiation Protection Research, under the Horizon 2020 programme (CONCERT). The full version of the SRA is available as a EURADOS report (www.eurados.org).