Intercomparison exercise on difficult to measure radionuclides in activated concrete - statistical analysis and comparison with activation calculations

This paper reports the results obtained in a Nordic Nuclear Safety Research project during the second intercomparison exercise for the determination of difficult to measure radionuclides in decommissioning waste. Eight laboratories participated by carrying out radiochemical analysis of H-3, C-14, Cl-36, Ca-41, Fe-55 and Ni-63 in an activated concrete. In addition, gamma emitters, namely Eu-152 and Co-60, were analysed. The assigned values were derived from the submitted results according to ISO 13,528 standard and the performance assessments were determined using z scores. The measured results were compared with activation calculation result showing varying degree of comparability.