Development of the occupational exposure during the production and application of radiopharmaceuticals in Germany.

An increasing number of radiopharmaceuticals and proteins are available for diagnosing and treating various diseases. The demand for existing and newly developed pharmaceutical radionuclides and proteins is steadily increasing. The radiation exposure levels of workers in the radiopharmaceutical industry and nuclear medicine field are closely monitored, specifically their effective dose and equivalent dose, leading to the question, of whether the dawn of radiopharmaceuticals affects the occupational exposure level.

Should the ISO slab phantom be used for calibrations in terms of the new ICRU 95 operational quantity personal dose?

The applicability of the ISO slab phantom as calibration phantom for the new ICRU report 95 quantity personal dose should be legitimated by simulations and measurements of backscatter factors on the ISO slab phantom and, comparatively, on a human-like Alderson Rando phantom. An ionization chamber was used to determine backscatter factors for standardized X-ray spectra in the energy range of 16-250 keV and for gamma radiation of 137Cs (662 keV) and 60Co (1250 keV). For the validation of measurement results on the ISO slab, the results were compared with those obtained by means of Monte Carlo simulations using MCNP 6.

Radionuclide metrology methods and analysis of the Joint Danube Survey 4 sediment samples.

This low-level radionuclide metrology research work was carried out within the Joint Danube Survey 4 (JDS4), coordinated in 2018-2020 by the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR). The gamma-emitting radionuclides of the sediment samples were analysed by low-level gamma-ray spectrometry. The activity concentration of Sr was determined by liquid scintillation counting (LSC) after isolating the radio-strontium using a new radiochemical separation method.

Research summary of the EMPIR MetroRADON project.

In this paper, a comprehensive overview on the achievements and generated research results beyond the state-of-the-art is given based on the working structure of the joint metrology research project MetroRADON. The results of the project have been targeted at the implementation of the European Council Directive 2013/59/EURATOM on radiation protection (EU BSS) and benefit European and international standards on radon monitoring, radon measurement and calibration, geographical radon mapping, and guidelines on radiological protection, construction products, radiation instrumentation and nuclear data.

Examination of applicability of the ISO slab phantom as calibration phantom for the new ICRU 95 operational quantity personal dose.

In this article, the proposal of the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements/International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRU/ICRP), that the ISO slab phantom should continue to be used as a calibration phantom for the new ICRU Report 95 operational quantity personal dose should be legitimised by simulation and performance of experiments to determine backscatter factors on the ISO slab phantom and, in comparison, on an anthropomorphic Alderson Rando phantom. The scope of this work was restricted to the photon energy range of radiation qualities commonly used in x-ray diagnostics. For this purpose, a shadow-free diagnostic (SFD) ionisation chamber was used to measure backscatter factors for X radiation in the energy range of 24 keV to 118 keV.

The Metrological Traceability, Performance and Precision of European Radon Calibration Facilities.

An interlaboratory comparison for European radon calibration facilities was conducted to evaluate the establishment of a harmonized quality level for the activity concentration of radon in air and to demonstrate the performance of the facilities when calibrating measurement instruments for radon. Fifteen calibration facilities from 13 different European countries participated. They represented different levels in the metrological hierarchy: national metrology institutes and designated institutes, national authorities for radiation protection and participants from universities.

Comparing calculated and experimental activity and dose values obtained from image-based quantification of Y SPECT/CT Data.

Purpose: Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) is a treatment for various kinds of liver tumours by injecting Y bearing microspheres into the liver vessels. To perform meaningful post-treatment dosimetry, quantitative imaging is performed.

Methods: This work uses a Monte-Carlo based reconstruction software with scatter and attenuation correction and collimator modelling that allows the quantification of Y bremsstrahlung SPECT/CT data.

An innovative quick method for tracable measurement of radon 222 in drinking water.

In this work, a quick and simple low-level radionuclide metrology technique for the traceable measurement of Rn-222 activity concentration in drinking water using a 0.56 l ionisation chamber operating in spectrometric pulse mode has been developed, tested, verified and applied to 16 water samples successfully. The impact of essential influencing factors on the result has been investigated, discussed and considered in the uncertainty budget of the measurement method.

Production and characterization of a traceable NORM material and its use in proficiency testing of gamma-ray spectrometry laboratories.

This paper outlines the process of characterizing a new NORM material for proficiency testing made of quartz sand with significantly elevated levels of Ra obtained from the backflush of a drinking water treatment facility. Samples of the fully characterized NORM material were sent to European laboratories concerned with radioactivity measurements and environmental monitoring by gamma-ray spectrometry for proficiency testing. The paper discusses the results, specific requirements, problems and solutions that were found during the characterization process and the proficiency test.

INTRODUCTION AND TESTING OF A SIMPLIFIED METHOD FOR THE EVALUATION OF THE RADON EMANATION.

The radioactive noble gas radon is identified as the highest risk factor for lung cancer after smoking. The exhalation of radon from building materials can contribute to the radon indoor activity concentration. Therefore, the emanation of radon might be a crucial factor.

A COMPARISON OF RADON INDOOR MEASUREMENTS WITH INTERPOLATED RADON SOIL GAS VALUES USING THE INVERSE WEIGHTING METHOD ON MEASURED RESULTS.

The European Basic Safety Standards demand the prediction of areas where a significant number of households exceed the reference level for the radon activity concentration. Therefore, radon maps are established which are based on indoor and soil gas measurements. In this study results of soil gas measurements are interpolated to get a value for the radon activity concentration in the soil gas at the coordinates of an indoor measurement and enable a direct comparison of both results.

Radon in drinking water: Comparison and evaluation of two ionisation chamber activity measurement methods.

In this study the radon activity concentration of water samples from the so called "Thermenlinie" are measured using two different techniques: currents measured with an ionisation chamber setup developed by H. Friedmann are compared with results obtained using a commercially available AlphaGUARD. A fit to compensate for measurements made in non-equilibrium state is applied and the detection limit is estimated.

Environmental radioactivity study of Austrian and Bavarian forest ecosystems: Long-term behaviour of contamination of soil, vegetation and wild boar and its radioecological coherences.

Cs and K in soil, vegetation and flesh of wild boar samples from Austrian and Bavarian regions were investigated by gamma-ray spectrometry and Sr in bones of wild boar with Liquid Scintillation Counting (LSC) after radiochemical separation. The soil core profiles revealed that 70-97% of the soil caesium content is still accumulated in the 0-10cm soil depth. From all vegetation samples the mushrooms, particularly the bay boletus showed the highest Cs contamination.

Long-term environmental radioactive contamination of Europe due to the Chernobyl accident - Results of the Joint Danube Survey 2013.

In the course of the Joint Danube Survey 3 (JDS3), coordinated by the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR), laboratory ships travelled 2375km down the Danube River engaging in sampling, processing and on-board analyses during the summer of 2013. The results of the radiometric analysis of Sr, Cs and natural radionuclides in recent riverbed sediment are presented. The activity concentrations of Sr and Cs in Danube sediments have been found below 100Bq/kg.

Reference materials produced for a European metrological research project focussing on measurements of NORM.

Reliable measurement of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials is of significance in order to comply with environmental regulations and for radiological protection purposes. This paper discusses the standardisation of three reference materials, namely sand, tuff and TiO to serve as quality control materials for traceability, method validation and instrument calibration. The sample preparation, material characterization via γ, α and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and the assignment of values for both the 4n (Thorium) and 4n+2 (Uranium) decay series are described.

Application of an artificial neural network for evaluation of activity concentration exemption limits in NORM industry.

NORM emits many different gamma energies that have to be analysed by an expert. Alternatively, artificial neural networks (ANNs) can be used. These mathematical software tools can generalize "knowledge" gained from training datasets, applying it to new problems.

Study of particular problems appearing in NORM samples and recommendations for best practice gamma-ray spectrometry.

In this paper spectral interference effects for selected gamma-emitting radionuclides of the natural decay series and K in selected NORM samples are studied. Recommendations for the choice of γ-lines and the consideration of possible spectral interferences are provided. Special attention is given to the radon tightness of the sample containers.

The uncertainty in the radon hazard classification of areas as a function of the number of measurements.

The administration in many countries demands a classification of areas concerning their radon risk taking into account the requirements of the EU Basic Safety Standards. The wide variation of indoor radon concentrations in an area which is caused by different house construction, different living style and different geological situations introduces large uncertainties for any classification scheme. Therefore, it is of importance to estimate the size of the experimental coefficient of variation (relative standard deviation) of the parameter which is used to classify an area.

Indoor radon, geogenic radon surrogates and geology - Investigations on their correlation.

The indoor radon concentration was measured in most houses in a couple of municipalities in Austria. At the same time the activity concentration of radium in soil, the soil gas radon concentration, the permeability of the ground and the ambient dose equivalent rate were also measured and the geological situations (geological units) were recorded too. From the indoor radon concentration and different house and living parameters a radon potential (Austrian radon potential) was derived which should represent the radon concentration in a standard room.

A quick technique to improve the geometry characterisation of aged HPGe detectors for MC code efficiency calculation.

During the EMRP JRP MetroMETAL project a detector image of an aged HPGe gamma-ray detector was created for MC efficiency calculation. Using the nominal construction parameters of the detector, the simulation showed unacceptably high deviations from the assured activity values. This paper describes an optimisation of a virtual detector to obtain better results using limited resources and offers comparisons of efficiency values of point and voluminous sources calculated by LABSOCS® and PENELOPE 2011.

Study of parameters relevant for a better prediction of the radon potential.

In 2012 and 2013 measurements of parameters relevant for a better prediction of the radon potential were carried out in Austria at 100 sites. The parameters were the (222)Rn activity concentration in soil gas, the soil's permeability, the ambient equivalent dose rate above the ground and the soil's massic activity by gamma spectrometry. The uncertainties of sampling and measurements are discussed as well as the correlations between these parameters.

Radon soil gas measurements in a geological versatile region as basis to improve the prediction of areas with a high radon potential.

With the aim to predict the radon potential by geological data, radon soil gas measurements were made in a selected region in Styria, Austria. This region is characterised by mean indoor radon potentials of 130-280 Bq m(-3) and a high geological diversity. The distribution of the individual measuring sites was selected on the basis of geological aspects and the distribution of area settlements.

Activity measurement and effective dose modelling of natural radionuclides in building material.

In this paper the assessment of natural radionuclides' activity concentration in building materials, calibration requirements and related indoor exposure dose models is presented. Particular attention is turned to specific improvements in low-level gamma-ray spectrometry to determine the activity concentration of necessary natural radionuclides in building materials with adequate measurement uncertainties. Different approaches for the modelling of the effective dose indoor due to external radiation resulted from natural radionuclides in building material and results of actual building material assessments are shown.