Radiotoxicological intercomparisons organised by the Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique group in France

People working in French nuclear plants are monitored either by whole body counting or by the measurement of biological samples. The radiochemical and radiometric procedures used have to be periodically reviewed. A working group, including practising biologists from CEA, EDF and the Armed Forces Health Service, instituted comparisons of radiotoxicological test assessments. Since 1978, about 60 intercomparisons have been made. Currently 30 European laboratories are involved in these intercomparisons. This paper provides a brief history of the intercomparison exercises, describes the logistics of sample collection and preparation, and presents the results, showing the position of each laboratory in relation to the reference and median values. Diagrams produced by radiochemical analysis, relating to plutonium in urine and in faecal samples, and to tritium, strontium and enriched uranium in urine, are analysed.