Latin American and Caribbean Intercomparison of Radiation Protection Area Monitoring Instruments

Abstract

In December 2000 the International Atomic Energy Agency sponsored an intercomparison of radiation protection area monitoring instruments which was held at the Instituto de Radioproteção e Dosimetria--IRD/CNEN, Rio de Janeiro. Brazil. This intercomparison exercise was aimed at evaluating the ability of some Latin American and Caribbean countries to perform calibrations or such instruments, or have them properly performed by a third party. Nine countries participated in the exercise with 13 portable gamma dose rate monitors. The quantity of interest for the intercomparison was the ambient dose equivalent, H*(10), although some instruments were not designed or calibrated in this quantity. Results were converted to H*(10), whenever necessary. according to the information supplied by each participant. All results for the quantity of interest agree well within 10% of the reference values and the quoted uncertainties.