Radiation detectors, such as survey meters, are essential for ensuring radiation safety in various sectors, including healthcare, industrial processing, emergency response, etc. However, regular calibration and proper maintenance of survey meters are important in order to ascertain their accuracy and reliability. This study provides a comprehensive retrospective assessment of the calibration behaviour, durability, and fault trends of 160 survey meters, spanning ten different models. They were calibrated at the Secondary Standard Dosimetry Laboratory (SSDL) in Nigeria over a decade (2012-2023) using an X-Ray Beam Irradiator Model X80-225K and Cs-137 irradiator (OB6) with a PTW reference spherical chamber traceable to the IAEA SSDL in Seibersdorf, Austria. The calibration stability of each model was evaluated, revealing that models like Instrument A and Instrument B demonstrated high reliability with calibration factors close to the ideal value of 1, while models like Instrument C exhibited higher variability, suggesting less consistent performance for dose rate monitoring. Fault analysis showed that the most common issues were related to the battery compartment, indicating a need for improved handling practices. Correlation analysis reveals no statistically significant correlation between calibration factor and age of survey meter across the analysed models. The study concludes that regular calibration, proper handling, and user training are crucial for maintaining the accuracy and longevity of radiation detectors.
References
[1]
Nguyen, P., Nakamura, H., Kitamura, H., Sato, N., Takahashi, T., Maki, D., et al. (2016) α Particle Response for a Prototype Radiation Survey Meter Based on Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) with Un-Doping Fluorescent Guest Molecules. JapaneseJournalofHealthPhysics, 51, 60-63. https://doi.org/10.5453/jhps.51.60
[2]
Knoll, G.F. (2010) Radiation Detection and Measurement, Fourth. John Wiley & Sons.
[3]
Leo, W.R. (1994) Techniques for Nuclear and Particle Physics Experiments. Springer.
[4]
Beringer, J., Arguin, J., Barnett, R.M., Copic, K., Dahl, O., Groom, D.E., et al. (2012) Review of Particle Physics. PhysicalReviewD, 86, Article ID: 010001. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevd.86.010001
[5]
Utomo, B., Indrato, T., Ariswati, H.G., Mudjiono, U., Ardiansyah, B., Hossain, A.K.M.B., et al. (2022) Analysis of Tube Leakage of X-Ray Radiation Using Geiger Muller Sensor Equipped with Data Storage. IndonesianJournalofElectronics, ElectromedicalEngineering, andMedicalInformatics, 4, 78-84. https://doi.org/10.35882/ijeeemi.v4i2.5
[6]
Andronic, A. and Wessels, J.P. (2012) Transition Radiation Detectors. NuclearInstrumentsandMethodsinPhysicsResearchSectionA: Accelerators, Spectrometers, DetectorsandAssociatedEquipment, 666, 130-147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nima.2011.09.041
[7]
Martin, I.M., Gomes, M.P., de Carvalho, R.R.F. and Gomes, R. (2017) Study of a Portable Experimental Set for the Monitoring of Ionizing Radiation in the Tropical Region of Brazil. JournalofEnvironmentalScienceandEngineeringA, 6, 144-148. https://doi.org/10.17265/2162-5298/2017.03.005
[8]
International Atomic Energy Agency (2000) Calibration of Radiation Protection Monitoring Instruments, Safety Reports Series No. 16. https://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/P074_scr.pdf
Terashima, S., et al. (2015) A Comparison Study of Commercially Available Survey Meters for Measurement of γ-Rays. Radiation Emergency Medicine, 4, 29-34.
[11]
Chida, K., Nishimura, Y., Sato, Y., Endo, A., Sakamoto, M., Hoshi, C., et al. (2007) Examination of the Long-Term Stability of Radiation Survey Meters and Electronic Pocket Dosemeters. RadiationProtectionDosimetry, 129, 431-434. https://doi.org/10.1093/rpd/ncm476
[12]
European Co-Operation for Accreditation (1999) Expression of Uncertainties in Calibration Measurements, Rio de Janeiro, 1999. https://www.european-accreditation.org
[13]
International Atomic Energy Agency (2008) Measurement Uncertainty, IAEA-TECDOC-1585.
