Prototype of the National Dose Register (NDR) for Latin America: main experiences in design and implementation.

Several national regulations and good international practices promote the existence of a central register with the results of individual radiological monitoring. In the majority of countries (in the Latin American region), dosimetry data were neither harmonised nor managed by a unique database, and therefore the possibility of using such data for proper characterisation of the radiological conditions, integrally at national level, in a territory or sector, and by practice or occupational category, was very limited. All these considerations justified the need for developing a prototype of a National Dose Register (NDR) for Latin America. The main objectives were the strengthening of safety supervision in nuclear applications and the provision of a surveillance system for occupational exposure as well as the centralisation of personal dosimetry data, compiling all doses evaluated by the different dosimetric service providers. The experience of Cuba and Brazil in the implementation of their national registers was well known, and was accordingly used as the basis for designing this software. The first version of the NDR prototype, developed in the Spanish language, has been designed, developed and validated. So far, 16 countries have started to implement the NDR. The present work describes aspects such as the technical bases of the NDR design, its characteristics and its functionalities. Experience gained during implementation in Latin America is also addressed. Having a common system of dosimetric information management in the region has opened an important space for scientific exchanges between the countries and their competent authorities. The NDR implementation has provided regulatory authorities with a tool that permits the verification of the level of compliance with dose limits and restrictions, as well as allowing them to carry out statistical assessments of the results of individual radiological surveillance that may permit evaluation of the appropriateness and effectiveness of workplace radiation protection programmes, contributing to their optimisation.

Review of standards of protection for pregnant workers and their offspring.

The recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection and the IAEA Basic Safety Standards (BSS) make clear that the embryo and fetus should be regarded as a member of the public when considering the protection of female workers who are or may be pregnant. The BSS note that the embryo and fetus should be 'afforded the same broad level of protection as required for members of the public'. Similar guidance is included in national legislation in a number of countries. On the basis of a review of such guidance, it was concluded that although the recommendations provided in the BSS are in general agreement with the international consensus on approaches to the protection of pregnant workers and their offspring, more specific supporting guidance is needed. The IAEA is preparing a technical document that extends and clarifies previous advice and considers the practical application of the advice for workers in different types of workplace, for which important potential routes of exposure for the pregnant worker have been identified. This action is being carried out under the framework of the International Action Plan for Occupational Radiation Protection.

Harmonization of internal dosimetry procedures in Latin America--ARCAL/IAEA project.

Under the auspices of the Regional Coordination Agreement for Latin America, representatives of the eight member states have participated in a project to improve radiological protection for workers exposed to unsealed sources of radiation. The design of the project was based on information obtained from a questionnaire circulated among the participants, from which the initial status of internal dosimetry services in each country was characterised. The objective of the project is to harmonize internal dosimetry procedures, with reference to International Atomic Energy Agency recommendations. After the implementation of new procedures and personnel training, four intercomparison exercises were carried out: measurement of iodine in thyroid phantoms, measurement of gamma emitters in urine samples, measurement of beta emitters in urine samples and internal dose assessments. This project has resulted in important improvements in internal dosimetry services in the region.

Validation process and uncertainty budget: a recommended approach for performance verification.

Within its Occupational Radiation Protection Programme, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) initiated and funded many international and regional intercomparison exercises, with the aim of verifying performance of the individual monitoring service providers. An important component within the quality system is the validation and uncertainty budget of the method used. Each method must be validated. This validation process must provide evidence that the method can fulfil all requirements for its intended use. A method may be regarded as validated only when it fulfils all requirements established before the validation process. This paper reviews methods recommended for different types of measurement techniques in individual monitoring.

Results of the regional intercomparison exercise for the determination of operational quantity HP(10) in Latin America.

Several intercomparison exercises were organised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the determination of operational quantities at the regional or interregional basis. In the Latin American region an intercomparison for the determination of the operational quantity Hp(10) was completed mid-2004, as a follow-up to previous exercises carried out during the 1990s. Eighteen individual external monitoring services from nineteen Member States participated in the first phase. The second phase grouped 15 services that had participated in the first phase. Dosemeter irradiations in photon beams were done by four Secondary Standard Dosimetry Laboratories (SSDLs) of the region. The preparation of this exercises involved an audit by the IAEA SSDL, where reference irradiations were provided to all participants for verification of their systems. During the first phase (2002-2003) only 9 out of 18 services met the performance requirements for such monitoring services. Necessary corrective actions and procedure verification were implemented. During the second phase (2004) 11 out of 15 services fulfilled the performance criteria. This intercomparison shows that there has been improvement in the second phase and most participants demonstrated a satisfactory performance of the quantity tested.