Internal dosimetric analyser to assist routine, confirmatory and special radiobioassays.

The IAEA Radiation Safety Technical Services Laboratory has developed and validated an Internal Dosimetric Analyser (IDA) software tool to facilitate access to dosimetric data and perform calculations related to individual monitoring for intakes of radionuclides and occupational radiation protection. IDA serves to correlate measurements from routine, confirmatory and special internal monitoring with data obtained from the Occupational Intakes of Radionuclides series of recommendations published by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. The purpose of IDA is to keep the internal dosimetry data in the background and allow the dosimetrist to make the necessary calculations to be able to decide (1) whether the bioassay method and monitoring period are appropriate for routine, confirmatory or special monitoring; (2) whether the method and period will allow the recording level to be detected; (3) whether previous intakes are contributing to the current measurement; and (4) whether measurement uncertainties affect the dose assessment.

GHSI EMERGENCY RADIONUCLIDE BIOASSAY LABORATORY NETWORK - SUMMARY OF THE SECOND EXERCISE.

The Global Health Security Initiative (GHSI) established a laboratory network within the GHSI community to develop collective surge capacity for radionuclide bioassay in response to a radiological or nuclear emergency as a means of enhancing response capability, health outcomes and community resilience. GHSI partners conducted an exercise in collaboration with the WHO Radiation Emergency Medical Preparedness and Assistance Network and the IAEA Response and Assistance Network, to test the participating laboratories (18) for their capabilities in in vitro assay of biological samples, using a urine sample spiked with multiple high-risk radionuclides (90Sr, 106Ru, 137Cs, and 239Pu). Laboratories were required to submit their reports within 72 h following receipt of the sample, using a pre-formatted template, on the procedures, methods and techniques used to identify and quantify the radionuclides in the sample, as well as the bioassay results with a 95% confidence interval. All of the participating laboratories identified and measured all or some of the radionuclides in the sample. However, gaps were identified in both the procedures used to assay multiple radionuclides in one sample, as well as in the methods or techniques used to assay specific radionuclides in urine. Two-third of the participating laboratories had difficulties in determining all the radionuclides in the sample. Results from this exercise indicate that challenges remain with respect to ensuring that results are delivered in a timely, consistent and reliable manner to support medical interventions. Laboratories within the networks are encouraged to work together to develop and maintain collective capabilities and capacity for emergency bioassay, which is an important component of radiation emergency response.