An Italian InterLaboratory comparison on personal dose equivalent for dosimetry services: promoting measurements reliability and addressing new digital challenges

Abstract

An InterLaboratory Comparison on personal dose equivalent, Hp(10), a fundamental part of radiation protection dosimetry measurements, was organized aiming at evaluating the measurement capability of dosimetry services across Italy, in order to ensure the reliability of the measurements. For the intercomparison, each participant sent their own passive dosimeters, which were exposed to gamma radiation beams emitted from a S-Cs source and to medium-energy filtered X-ray beams of the wide spectrum series, at the ISO 4037-1 W-80 quality. Results were evaluated by applying the statistical estimator R, which compares the communicated dose equivalent values and the reference, assigned values, and then evaluated using trumpet curves. Data were acquired using web forms, collected in internal databases, and processed using statistical software, aiming at the automation of analysis and preparation of technical reporting. Results indicate a good level of maturity in the measurement capabilities in radiation protection dosimetry in the italian dosimetry services who participated. The intercomparison was an opportunity for mutual improvement between the participating dosimetric services and the organizing institute: the former were able to compare themselves and have their capabilities assessed from an external provider; while, the latter had the chance to improve their management and organization skills for a large, multi-lateral intercomparison.