THE ASSESSMENT OF THE REPRESENTATIVENESS OF DATA FROM DOSE-RATE MONITORING STATIONS

To ensure the representativeness of data obtained at fixed, ground bas ed dose rate monitoring stations of environmental networks, a clear co ncept is described which specifies what such a station and its near vi cinity should look like. An ideal station is defined as a probe at 1 m height above a smooth ground surface of grassland or similar vegetati on. The main irregularities (trees, buildings, etc.) which, in practic e, occur in the near vicinity of such probes are discussed. Parameteri sed calibration factors are calculated with the new Monte Carlo code P ENELOPE. A semiquantitative scoring scheme helps to decide to what ext ent irregularities can be tolerated. Its application is straightforwar d and provides a coarse but objective description of the site-specific conditions of a dose rate probe.