THE EVALUATION OF RADIATION INSTRUMENTATION USED FOR THE DETECTION OF ILLICIT TRAFFICKING OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL

摘要

During the last quarter of 2002, an effort was started to develop performance requirements for radiation instrumentation used for the detection of illicit trafficking of radioactive material. Coordinated by the US National Institute of Science and Technology, a team was formed to establish writing committees for the development of these requirements as American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards. The core of the new area was developed as ANSI N42, Homeland Security Instruments. A series of standards were developed followed by testing and evaluation (T&E) protocols that would be used for specific testing. Four US national laboratories provided T&E support, and work commenced to test instruments provided by manufacturers at no cost. During this time, discussions began regarding the formation of a new work group within the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). This new work group would be located within TC 45/SC 45B which addresses radiation protection instrumentation. The new work group, B15, also began developing international standards to address the same instrument types. Since 2006, three IEC standards concerning the detection of illicit trafficking of radioactive material were published and four more are now in development. A summary of the most important characteristics of these IEC standards is presented.