title: Seven years of gamma-ray spectrometry interlaboratory comparisons in Switzerland.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: University Institute for Radiation Physics, Lausanne, Switzerland. claude.bailat@chuv.ch
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bailat
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Buchillier
authors.forename: Yvan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Caffari
authors.forename: Youcef
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nedjadi
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spring
authors.forename: Sybille
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Estier
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bochud
mesh_terms: 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