Temperature stabilization of alanine dosimeters used for food processing and sterilization

The International Atomic Energy Agency has established a dose quality audit service for radiation processing facilities. The objective of the service is to provide an independent check on the routine dosimetry system in use a t the facility. The audit service is based on the use of alanine EPR dosime try. Generally, alanine dosimeters are irradiated at the facility together with a product, and the response is then analyzed at the IAEA laboratory. P ractice of the audit service has shown that the main uncertainty in alanine dosimetry is due to absence of temperature control at the irradiation faci lities. Were, a method for stabilizing the temperature of the dosimeter dur ing irradiation is proposed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. Ail rights rese rved.