Ionizing Radiation Metrology
National reference that promotes reliability in measurements and standards related to radiation
Ensuring the use of radiation in Brazil
The metrological area of the IRD aims to provide Brazilian society reliability, universality and quality of measurements and standards, with applications involving the use of ionizing radiation such as the medical, environmental, industrial areas and scientific research areas.
IRD is home to the laboratory designated by INMETRO, as the Brazilian reference in the field, the National Metrology Laboratory of Ionizing Radiation (LNMRI).
LNMRI acts through the standardization, conservation and dissemination of ionizing radiation quantities in Brazil, which are applied in occupational and environmental radioprotection, nuclear safety, radiodiagnostic, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine. As a reference in ionizing radiation metrology, LNMRI represents the country in international consultant committees. In addition, its main role is to promote and participate in inter-laboratory comparisons in collaboration with International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), the Inter-American Metrology System (SIM) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Moreover, LNMRI is an important training center of professionals who work with ionizing radiation, not only in Brazil but also for Latin America. The commitment of all highly trained professionals is aimed at strengthening the national metrology structure in pursuit of the country's autonomy in this area.
TECHNICAL SERVICES PROVIDED BY LNMRI
RADIATION DOSIMETRY
- Calibration of reference standards for laboratories participating in the Brazilian Network of Metrology;
- Calibration of clinical dosimeters used in radiotherapy;
- Calibration of area and contamination monitors used in radiological protection;
- Calibration of dosimeters applied in quality control of diagnostic radiology equipment – mammography units, CT scanners and X-ray machines;
- Irradiation of personal dosimeters used in individual monitoring of workers;
- Development of new systems for calibration of detectors;
- Primary standardization in the air kerma quantity.
NEUTRON METROLOGY
- Calibration of neutron sources;
- Calibration of individual and area monitors in neutron beams;
- Irradiation of individual monitors and samples.
RADIONUCLIDE METROLOGY
- Supply of certified radioactive sources;
- Primary standardization of radionuclides – coincidence counting, anti-coincidence and liquid scintillation techniques;
- Secondary standardization with gas-ionization chambers, and alpha-, X- and gamma-spectrometry;
- Production of samples of reference materials from natural matrices;
- Proficiency essay for measurement of radionuclides used in Brazilian nuclear medicine services and environmental analysis laboratories.
* LNMRI participates since 1976 in the network of Secondary Standard Dosimetry Laboratory (SSDL), coordinated by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and World Health Organization (WHO).
* Its quality management system was approved by the Inter-American Metrology System (SIM) in 2004 according to the requirements of NBR / ISO / IEC 17025.