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New e-learning course for radiation protection dosimeters launched by Metrology Partnership project

Helping laboratories implement standards for reference calibration beams and improving European capacity for X-ray beam spectrometry

Photon dosimeters are used for measuring radiation doses to protect people from the harmful effects of ionising radiation. However, the recent update of the basic standard for photon reference radiation fields, ISO 4037:2019 'Radiological protection – X and gamma reference radiation for calibrating dosemeters and dose rate meters and for determining their response as a function of photon energy', has presented significant challenges to calibration laboratories and industry, including higher costs and increased need for workforce capacity.

The Metrology Partnership project Harmonisation, update and implementation of standards related to radiation protection dosimeters for photon radiation (22NRM07, GuideRadPROS) is developing protocols and guidance to calibration laboratories, metrology institutes, standardisation bodies and regulators for an easily implementable and harmonised approach to radiation protection measurements and calibrations.

Calibration of Radiation Protection Dosimeters is the first European e-learning course aimed at laboratories which are implementing the ISO 4037 standard for setting up reference calibration beams. The course covers:

Introduction presents the need for harmonisation in radiation protection dosimetry, and the role of interlaboratory comparisons and calibration and measurement capabilities in ensuring traceability and international consistency.
Establishing the calibration set-up addresses the practical implementation of X‑ray and gamma reference radiation fields for radiation protection.
Spectrometry focuses on the characterisation of radiation protection fields using photon spectrometry.
Calibration process and end-user needs addresses the application of reference fields to practical calibration.

The course is available at no cost in the EURAMET section of the BIPM's e-learning platform although it is necessary to set up an account to access the course.

Project coordinator, Teemu Siiskonen from STUK (Finland) said

“This e-learning material provides an excellent opportunity for smaller and emerging calibration laboratories to take a full advance of ISO4037 standards and enhance their capabilities to provide services to radiation protection community”.

This Metrology Partnership project has received funding from the European Partnership on Metrology, co-financed by the European Union Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme and from the Participating States.

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