Dosimetric services
The European Commission (DG XVII) has published an invitation to tender for a service contract to measure the possible exposure to radioactivity of nuclear inspectors in the service of Euratom safeguards. Nuclear inspectors are potentially at risk from radio-isotopes and regular, thorough monitoring is therefore indicated. Among existing measurements, nuclear research centres and the nuclear industry generally prefer the measurement technique referred to as "body counter". Controls are to include the following two measurements: - Overall measurement: measurement of total-body exposure to radiation, aimed at identifying all gamma emitters and using potassium 40 as a reference; - Lung measurements: specific measurements to determine if plutonium has been deposited in the lungs. This may be done indirectly by testing for americium. The number of persons requiring examination varies between 220 and 250 per year. A definite timetable will be agreed. The contractor will also be required to provide a non-scheduled emergency measurement service if an incident or an accident should make it imperative. Measurement results are to be made available within four weeks of an examination. In the event that a significant exposure is detected, safeguard officers are to be informed immediately (at the latest five days following the examination). The contract will be for an initial one-year period, renewable annually for a maximum total period of three years. Tender documents may be obtained from: European Commission Directorate-General For Energy Directorate XVII/E (Euratom safeguards) Plateau du Kirchberg (CUB) L-2920 Luxembourg Tel. +352-430132164/430132202; Fax +352-430133545 Tenders may be sent to the same address.