Spanish Intercomparison of Approved Personal Dosimetry Services Using Photon Radiation Beams

In order to supervise quality control and reliability of approved dosimetry services, the Spanish Nuclear Safety Council (CSN) organizes periodic national comparisons. The main results of the 2001 comparison organised by the CSN among 22 approved Personal Dosimetry Services are presented. All participants used TLD systems and measured Hp(10) and Hp(0.07). Irradiations were performed according to the ISO 4037-3 Standard using the recommended ISO water phantom and the ISO narrow spectra x-ray qualities from 33 to 200 keV and a gamma Cs beam. Reference doses ranged between 0.3 mSv and 7 mSv. Results were evaluated using the so-called trumpet curve criteria together with ANSI 13.11 criteria. It is shown that 90% of the dose estimates fulfilled the established requirements. However, some difficulties were still found for the correct assessment of Hp(0.07) for low-energy photons.