Methods of measurement and calibration in personnel dosimetry for external irradiation: presentation of the concept and the results of a test programme in Switzerland

In 1986 the Swiss working group on personnel dosimetry issued a recommendation on methods of calibration and measurement in personnel dosimetry for external radiation, based on ICRU report 39. The aim of the report was to give detailed and pragmatic guidance to the dosimetry services and the calibration labs. In the recommendation a definition is given for primary and secondary limited quantities, for calibration quantities and operational quantities as well as for their interrelationships. The second part of the report is a manual for the calibration and evaluation procedures for whole-body and extremity dosemeters for photon and electron radiation. Based on that recommendation an extended test programme has been performed for all dosimetry services in Switzerland. The results show that the legal introduction of the recommended concept has no severe consequences for the dosimetry services although a number of minor modifications are needed. (author)