Investigations into the basic properties of different passive dosimetry systems used in environmental radiation monitoring in the aftermath of a nuclear or radiological event

Due to the need for harmonization of passive dosimetry and the requirements of the international standards in the area of environmental monitoring in radiation protection, multiple types of various passive dosimetry systems based on different ionizing radiation detection mechanisms were subjected to extensive performance testing. In the scope of the EMPIR project 16ENV04 Preparedness, the performance of 12 passive dosimetry systems was examined in radiation fields of different photon energies, angles of incidence and ambient dose equivalent rates in order to estimate their performance in the almost omni-directionally and energetically broad radiation field of the natural environment. The use of different detectors, holders, calibrations, measurement procedures and uncertainties, leads to differences in the measured data. Prior investigations and harmonization of passive dosimetry systems are necessary to achieve reliable and comparable dose measurements in Europ