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Radioactivity services

Tritium performance test exercises

Accurate and efficient testing

NPL provides a performance test for dosimetry services where measurement of tritium-in-urine is part of an internal dose assessment procedure on behalf of Public Health England.

The Health and Safety Executive's Statement on the Approval of Dosimetry Services states that all UK dosimetry services seeking approval are now required to undertake a relevant performance test if there is one available. For tritium-in-urine measurements, the relevant test requires the dosimetry service to measure a set of 'blind' samples of tritium-in-water provided by an independent testing laboratory. Once approved, the dosimetry service must take part in a repeat test once every 18 months. NPL provides such a test, and does so in accordance with the relevant HSE protocol.

To minimise costs to the individual dosimetry services, a large batch of samples are  prepared by NPL once every 18 months and the test is offered to all participants simultaneously. One-off tests can be provided outside the normal schedule, although at a higher cost.

NPL provides each participating dosimetry service with a set of 15 tritium-in-water samples over a range of activity concentrations. The dosimetry service must measure the tritium activity concentration in each sample and report their results to NPL who will then prepare a Performance Test Report, which is sent directly to the dosimetry service. This report states the reported and true activity concentrations and assigns the dosimetry service to the relevant HSE Performance Band based on the results of the test.

If you would like to join the next tritium PTE please contact us.

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