Recent EULEP dosimetry intercomparisons for whole body irradiation of mice. European Late Effects Project group.
OBJECTIVE
To foster quality assurance of dosimetry among the institutes involved in joint studies on late effects of ionizing radiation.


METHODS
The participants in the dosimetry intercomparison received for each facility two mouse phantoms loaded with LiF thermoluminescent dosemeters (TLD) and a control badge. The participants were requested to irradiate the test phantoms in the actual arrangement used for whole body irradiation of mice, such that the dose in the centre of the test phantoms was 2 Gy and the dose distribution was uniform. The readout of the TLD and the dose evaluation were made at the organizing institute.


RESULTS
Ten institutes operating 14 exposure facilities in four countries took part in the intercomparison. For one facility a dose deviation between 5 and 10% was found, whereas for two others the deviation exceeded 10%. The requirement for uniform dose distribution in a mouse phantom was not fulfilled by six exposure facilities. The causes for the dose discrepancies were found for two participants whereas for one participant the problems were only partly resolved. Non-uniform dose distributions are mainly related to unilateral irradiations.


CONCLUSIONS
The seven EULEP dosimetry intercomparisons clearly show the need for quality assurance of dosimetry in radiobiology.
Zoetelief
J
J
TNO-Centre for Radiological Protection and Dosimetry, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.
Broerse
J J
JJ
Busscher
F A
FA
Hiestand
W P
WP
Julius
H W
HW
Jansen
J T
JT
D000818:Animals; D051379:Mice; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation