National calibration and measurement capabilities (CMCs) at the ININ for air kerma rate K˙a, personal equivalent dose Hp(10) and ambient equivalent dose H*(10) in the 137Cs energy for radiological protection applications

Abstract

The Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratory (SSDL) of the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares (ININ) is the Designated Institute in Mexico by the Centro Nacional de Metrología (CENAM) to establish and maintain the national standards for ionizing radiation quantities. This designation is recognized internationally by the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA), established by the International Committee of Weights and Measures (CIPM). In particular, the SSDL ININ has characterized its two primary standard ionization chambers: a Bundesamt für Eich und Vermessungswesen (BEV) brand chamber, model CC01, and a custom made chamber, designated CH-M, in order to realize the radiation quantities Air Kerma rate K˙a, Personal Equivalent Dose Hp(10) and Ambient Equivalent Dose H*(10) in reference 137Cs gamma-ray beams for radiation protection applications. The end goal is to sustain the traceability chain for the estimation of effective equivalent dose HE and effective dose E of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) dose limiting systems that apply to the Mexican Republic, through the Reglamento General de Seguridad Radiológica (RGSR) regulations and the NOM-NUCL-12 standard for external radiation fields.