Seven years of gamma-ray spectrometry interlaboratory comparisons in Switzerland.
Since the 1990s, regular comparisons of gamma-ray spectrometry in Switzerland were organized to improve laboratory abilities to measure the radioactivity in the environment and food stuffs at typical routine levels. The activity concentration of the test samples and the evaluation of the associated uncertainties remained each year the main required test result. Over the years, the comparisons used certified reference solutions as well as environmental samples. The aim of this study is to research the effect of the comparisons on measurement quality. An analysis of the seven last interlaboratory comparisons revealed that the Swiss measurement capability is up to date. In addition, the results showed that the participants now have an improved evaluation of the uncertainties associated with their measurement.
Bailat
Claude
C
University Institute for Radiation Physics, Lausanne, Switzerland. claude.bailat@chuv.ch
Buchillier
Thierry
T
Caffari
Yvan
Y
Nedjadi
Youcef
Y
Spring
Philippe
P
Estier
Sybille
S
Bochud
François
F
D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000592:standards*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005507:Food Contamination, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis; D015588:Observer Variation; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D013051:Spectrometry, Gamma / Q000592:standards*; D013557:Switzerland