The first KREDOS-EPR intercomparison exercise using alanine pellet dosimeter in South Korea

Abstract This paper presents the results of the first intercomparison exercise performed by the Korea retrospective dosimetry (KREDOS) working group using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The intercomparison employed the alanine dosimeter, which is commonly used as the standard dosimeter in EPR methods. Four laboratories participated in the dose assessment of blind samples, and one laboratory carried out irradiation of blind samples. Two types of alanine dosimeters (Bruker and Magnettech) with different geometries were used. Both dosimeters were blindly irradiated at three dose levels (0.60, 2.70, and 8.00 Gy) and four samples per dose were distributed to the participating laboratories. Assessments of blind doses by the laboratories were performed using their own measurement protocols. One laboratory did not participate in the measurements of Magnettech alanine dosimeter samples. Intercomparison results were analyzed by calculating the relative bias, En value, and z-score. The results reported by participating laboratories were overall satisfactory for doses of 2.70 and 8.00 Gy but were considerably overestimated with a relative bias range of 10–95% for 0.60 Gy, which is lower than the minimum detectable dose (MDD) of the alanine dosimeter. After the first intercomparison, participating laboratories are working to improve their alanine-EPR dosimetry systems through continuous meetings and are preparing a second intercomparison exercise for other materials.