National Calibration Reference Centre for Bioassay and In Vivo Monitoring
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About
The National Calibration Reference Centre for Bioassay and In Vivo Monitoring was established in 1982 within Health Canada’s Radiation Protection Bureau. It helps improve workplace safety through testing that measures workers’ internal exposures to radiation.
The centre provides independent testing services to:
- universities
- hospitals
- public utilities
- private firms
This is to demonstrate their compliance with requirements stated in the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Regulatory Standard. This independent testing is a critical step in ensuring that measurements of internal radiation doses to workers are accurate.
Programs and services
The centre is registered to ISO 9001 and has adopted a set of performance standards containing technical specifications and criteria. We use these as guidelines to ensure that:
- we use appropriate materials, processes and products for the services we provide
- the performance test programs are of the highest quality
To join the performance program, send us a completed Participation Form by email or fax before the end of February of each year.
Bioassay performance tests
The centre offers performance testing samples for the bioassay of:
- tritium
- carbon-14
- combined tritium/carbon-14
- uranium
- fission/activation products in urine such as:
- Co-57
- Co-60
- Ba-133
- Cs-137
- Sr-90
These samples let facilities establish that the quality of their bioassay monitoring program meets the requirements of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
Learn more about:
In vivo monitoring performance tests
In vivo monitoring performance tests measure the amount of iodine in a thyroid gland. The centre provides specially designed neck phantoms and inserts that mimic real thyroid glands containing simulated:
- Iodine-123
- Iodine-125
- Iodine-131
The centre also provides series of phantoms for facilities to establish that the quality of their in vivo monitoring program meets Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission requirements. These series include:
- the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory torso phantom
- Bottle Manikin Absorber phantoms containing gamma emitters
We also provide:
- a report form
- a telephone number for assistance
- instructions on how to use the phantom
Our performance testing program participants can also use these phantoms to establish calibration factors.
Learn more about:
- Service standards for the thyroid performance testing program
- Service standards for the lung and whole body testing programs
Research in bioassay and in vivo measurement
The centre researches the accuracy of bioassay and in vivo measurements. Topics include:
- the factors that influence results
- phantom design and fabrication
- methodology improvements
We carry out this research alone or together with other national or international organizations.
The centre also provides bioassay and in vivo monitoring of people who may have been contaminated with radionuclides.
Contact us
National Internal Radiation Assessment Section
Radiation Surveillance and Health Assessment Division
Radiation Protection Bureau
Health Canada
775 Brookfield Road
A.L. 6302D
Ottawa, ON K1A 1C1
Email: hml-lsh@hc-sc.gc.ca
Telephone: 613-954-6667
Fax: 613-960-1372
Teletypewriter: 1-800-465-7735 (Service Canada)