Behavior of radiation meters applied to radiation survey in mammographic rooms: a Brazilian reality

The reality of Radiation Surveys (RS) carried out in mammography facilities in Brazil is mostly stuffed of tests performed by equipment not suitable for this purpose. To verify the performance of these radiation meters in calibration condition in terms of ambient dose equivalent, tests were carried out on the radiation qualities applied to RS tests in mammography (ISO N 20 - 30) and conventional radiology (ISO N 60 - 100). The results showed that most of them had bad responses, underestimating by up to 17x in relation to the reference measures for mammography ranges. Such results suggest the imminent need to calibrate them in the appropriate qualities, as well as in integrated dose measurement modes, as suggested by one of the manufacturers, and, whenever possible, with instruments designed for these applications. (author)