# The European intercomparison of in-vivo monitoring laboratories: the EIVIC-2020 project

## TL;DR

The EIVIC-2020 project evaluated the performance of European in-vivo monitoring labs for measuring gamma-emitting radionuclides in workers.

## Contribution

This study provides a comprehensive intercomparison of in-vivo monitoring practices across 21 European countries.

## Key findings

- Most laboratories met ISO standards for bias and z-scores in radionuclide measurements.
- Technical and organizational factors were analyzed for their influence on measurement accuracy.
- 41 labs from 21 countries, along with JRC and IAEA, participated in the intercomparison.

## Abstract

The EIVIC project was launched in 2020, and the main goal was the organisation of a European intercomparison of in-vivo monitoring laboratories dealing with direct measurements of gamma-emitting radionuclides incorporated into the body of exposed workers. This project was organised jointly by members of EURADOS Working Group 7 on internal dosimetry (WG7), the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS, Germany) and the Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety Institute (IRSN, France). The objective was to assess the implementation of individual-monitoring requirements in EU Member States on the basis of in-vivo measurements and to gain insight into the performance of in-vivo measurements using whole-body counters. In this context, a total of 41 in-vivo monitoring laboratories from 21 countries, together with JRC (EC) and IAEA participated. The results were submitted in terms of activity (Bq) of the radionuclides identified inside phantoms that were circulated to all participants. The measured data were compared with reference activity values to evaluate the corresponding bias according to the standards ISO 28218 and ISO 13528. In general, the results of the different exercises are good, and most facilities are in conformity with the criteria for the bias and z-scores in the ISO standards. Furthermore, information about technical and organisational characteristics of the participating laboratories was collected to test if they had a significant influence on the reported results.