INTERCAL: long-term inter-comparison experiment for dose rate and spectrometric probes

Bleher, M.; Doll, Helmut; Harms, W.; Stöhlker, U.

doi:10.1093/rpd/ncu039

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Without precipitation events the dose rate measured in the natural environment varies with the air pressure (influencing the secondary cosmic radiation), soil humidity and natural activity in air (due to radon progeny). Typically, these effects result in dose rate variability of about ten percent of the average background [20,22].…”

Section: Automatic Pre-selection Of Results Outside Normal Rangementioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, comparison methods are used to detect technical problems of a particular area dose rate detector and to compare the time evolution of observed data of different detectors during single rain events. On the other hand, mean values of measured data observed by different area dose rate detectors in a certain time period are compared and correlation methods based on a linear regression allow the assessment of relative responses of different probes to variations of the natural radiation field [22]. In addition, two exposure experiments with 137 Cs and 60 Co sources were performed in 2009 and 2012.…”

Section: Jinst 12 P12024mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Recommendations to harmonize European early warning dosimetry network systems

Dombrowski

Bleher²,

Cort

et al. 2017

J. Inst.

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Nuclear power plant accident 25 years later, it became obvious that real-time information is required to quickly gain radiological information. As a consequence, the European countries established early warning network systems with the aim to provide an immediate warning in case of a major radiological emergency, to supply reliable information on area dose rates, contamination levels, radioactivity concentrations in air and finally to assess public exposure. This is relevant for governmental decisions on intervention measures in an emergency situation. Since different methods are used by national environmental monitoring systems to measure area dose rate values and activity concentrations, there are significant differences in the results provided by different countries. Because European and neighboring countries report area dose rate data to a central data base operated on behalf of the European Commission, the comparability of the data is crucial for its meaningful interpretation, especially in the case of a nuclear accident with transboundary implications. Only by harmonizing measuring methods and data evaluation, is the comparability of the dose rate data ensured. This publication concentrates on technical requirements and methods with the goal to effectively harmonize area dose rate monitoring data provided by automatic early warning network systems. The requirements and procedures laid down in this publication are based on studies within the MetroERM project, taking into account realistic technical approaches and tested procedures. K: Data acquisition concepts; Dosimetry concepts and apparatus; Overall mechanics design (support structures and materials, vibration analysis etc); Radiation monitoring 1Corresponding author.

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Section: Automatic Pre-selection Of Results Outside Normal Rangementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Jinst 12 P12024mentioning

confidence: 99%

Recommendations to harmonize European early warning dosimetry network systems

Dombrowski

Bleher²,

Cort

et al. 2017

J. Inst.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In addition, BfS operates an open field site for long-term observations at mount Schauinsland near Freiburg (INTERCAL facility). Up to 20 detectors from different countries are operated in parallel at this place, allowing a direct comparison of readings from all probes over long periods of time under variable climate conditions (5, 6) .…”

Section: Ader Detectorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At the INTERCAL facility on mount Schauinsland near Freiburg (5, 6) , one additional probe was installed directly fixed on the wall of a building. In addition, one other detector was installed 1 m above ground in a small forest close to the INTERCAL facility.…”

Section: Measurement Uncertaintiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The German Dose Rate Monitoring Network and Implemented Data Harmonization Techniques

Stöhlker

Bleher

Doll

et al. 2018

Radiation Protection Dosimetry

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Environmental radiation monitoring networks have been established in Europe and world-wide for the purpose of protecting population and environment against ionizing radiation. Some of these networks had been established during the cold war period and were improved after the Chernobyl accident in 1986. Today, the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) operates an early warning network with roughly 1800 ambient dose equivalent rate (ADER) stations equally distributed over the German territory. The hardware and software of all network components are developed in-house allowing the continuous optimization of all relevant components. A probe characterization and quality assurance and control program are in place. Operational and technical aspects of the network and data harmonization techniques are described. The latter allows for calculating of the terrestrial and net ADER combined with uncertainties mainly from site specific effects. Harmonized data are finally used as input to the German emergency management system and the European radiological data exchange platform.

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Background gamma radiation and childhood cancer in Germany: an ecological study

Spix

Grosche

Bleher

et al. 2017

Radiat Environ Biophys

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The relationship of low-dose background gamma radiation and childhood leukaemia was investigated in a number of studies. Results from these studies are inconclusive. Therefore, in the present study 25 years of German childhood cancer data were analyzed using interpolated background annual gamma dose rate per community in an ecological study. The main question was leukaemia; as exploratory questions we investigate central nervous system (CNS) tumours, thyroid carcinomas and diagnoses less likely to be related to radiation. A Poisson regression model was applied and a fractional polynomial model building procedure. As the main sensitivity analysis a community deprivation index was included as a potential confounder. It was found that outdoor background gamma annual dose rates in Germany range roughly from 0.5-1.5 mSv/a with an average of 0.817 mSv/a. No association of annual ambient gamma dose rates with leukaemia incidence was found. Amongst the exploratory analyses, a strong association was found with CNS tumour incidence [rate ratio for 1.5 vs 0.5 mSv/a: 1.35; 95% confidence interval (1.17, 1.57)]. The community level deprivation index was not a confounder. It is concluded that the present study did not confirm an association of annual outdoor ambient gamma dose rate and childhood leukaemia, corresponding to some studies and contrasting others. An association with CNS incidence was found in the exploratory analyses. As this is an ecological study no causal interpretation is possible.

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INTERCAL: long-term inter-comparison experiment for dose rate and spectrometric probes

Cited by 4 publications

References 5 publications

Recommendations to harmonize European early warning dosimetry network systems

Recommendations to harmonize European early warning dosimetry network systems

The German Dose Rate Monitoring Network and Implemented Data Harmonization Techniques

Background gamma radiation and childhood cancer in Germany: an ecological study

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