European survey of measuring natural radioactivity in building materials
Feedback from the REM 2020 proficiency test
The Joint Research Centre of the European Commission organised a proficiency test (PT) on the measurements of natural radioactivity (U-238, Ra-226, Pb-210, Th-232, Ra-228, Th-228 and K-40) in two building materials. The 105 registered laboratories were requested to submit measurement results using their routine analytical procedure. In addition, participants were requested to provide information about their organisation, routine applied procedure and future PT needs via two on-line questionnaires. The first questionnaire was sent during registration and the other one was connected to submission of measurement results for the PT. Out of 105 laboratories, 96 submitted at least one measurement-result and 85 submitted the detailed reporting-survey. These questionnaires provide valuable information that can be used to identify pitfalls, best practices and to improve analytical procedures in radiological laboratories. In addition, participants had the opportunity to give feedback on the PT and express their wishes which radionuclides and matrices they would consider useful in the future PTs. The most requested matrices were NORMs and water followed by air-filter and soil. In these matrices natural radionuclides are the most wanted ones, but there is a clear interest in artificial/transuranic radionuclides too. We can also conclude that this PT sets the standard for future radiological PTs on building materials as information on realistic expectations on measurement accuracy amongst monitoring laboratories can be established.
HULT Mikael;
JOBBAGY Viktor;
2025-03-31
Publications Office of the European Union
JRC141062
978-92-68-26021-0 (online),
1831-9424 (online),
EUR 40277,
OP KJ-01-25-205-EN-N (online),
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC141062,
10.2760/7252222 (online),
Additional supporting files
| File name | Description | File type | |
|---|
