US Department of Energy radiological calibration intercomparison program

The US Department of Energy (DOE) radiological calibration intercomparison program was initiated in 1986 under the research phase of the DOE Laboratory Accreditation Program (DOELAP). The program operates by shipping instrument sets and secondary standard beta source sets to participating laboratories. The participants measure either exposure or dose rates with the instruments and then compare these values with the expected rates. This process tests not only the quality of the equipment but also the ability of the staff to correctly use and interpret the results obtained with the equipment. The results of this program provide documentation of the accuracy and uniformity of radiological calibrations in DOE laboratories. The measurements taken in fiscal year (FY) 1987 yielded the following results. The average ratio of expected to measured exposure rates for photon sources was 1.01. The average ratio of expected to measured absorbed dose rates was 1.04 for beta sources and 2.13 for neutron sources. Results from the first two years of operation (FY 1986 and FY 1987) are presented in order to show the improvement observed in these intercomparison measurements. The plans for future program enhancements will also be discussed. 4 refs