Radioactivity and radiation measurements are fundamental in a large group of activities and their use is expanding.

At one end of the activity or dose rate range sits the study of discharges from nuclear facilities.

Nuclear power is changing rapidly with the building of new reactors looking increasingly likely. The acceptable levels of discharge from such plants will be lower than for the current designs and thus harder to measure. The measured results will be subject to intense scrutiny, hopefully to confirm that the plants are operating correctly. Old power stations and research sites are being decommissioned rapidly. These sites are often potentially very useful, some for non-nuclear activities but some also, maybe, for new build. Getting confidence that residual levels are acceptable demands good quality measurement. In both these cases, NPL has a fundamental role. We develop techniques, design instruments, perform real measurements, provide reference materials and audit and, possibly most importantly, act as a national focus for knowledge transfer, bringing together operators, contactors and regulators.

At the other end of the activity/dose rate range sits medical applications.

In healthcare applications, the use of radioactivity and radiation in diagnosis and therapy is developing rapidly. The impact of these procedures on patients has to be predicted and a clear balance established between clinical result and the potential for harm. NPL is at the forefront of developing measurement techniques for new applications and ensuring the quality of current approaches.

Read more about Ionising Radiation Quantities and Units