Presentation
Unit of Radiological Protection and Safety
The Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Safety is one of the Technological Development Laboratories of the Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), located in the Technological and Nuclear Campus. Its mission is to ensure the responsibilities of IST in the area of Radiological Protection and Safety previously attributed to the Technological and Nuclear Institute I.P., extinguished by Decree-Law No. 29/2012, of February 9.
Licensed by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) with License LIC-73/20 (process no. 1083) for the following Practices: b) Operation of ionizing radiation generators or accelerators, except electron microscopes, or radioactive sources for purposes not involving medical exposures; (c) any practice involving sealed radioactive sources.
APA confers recognition to it in the development of the following activities:
- Evaluation of radiological safety and individual and area dosimetry, Certificate of Recognition No. REC-03/2020;
- Provision of Professional Training Courses in Radiological Protection and Safety to obtain qualification levels I, II and III, respectively, for Qualified Expert (AFP-02/2020), Qualified Technician (AFP-03/2020) and Technical Operator (AFP-04/2020);
- Radon measurement with passive detectors in the indoor air of buildings (Certificate of Commitment Nº 2/2022)
It has implemented a Quality Management System since 2012, in accordance with the ISO/IEC 17025 standard, with the main techniques with the greatest visibility and workload accredited by the Portuguese Institute for Accreditation (Accreditation Technical Annex L0620-1 and Accreditation Technical Annex M0119-1).
1. Research Activity Groups
Comprises the following groups:
- The Metrology and Dosimetry Group develops the activities: metrology of ionizing radiation, individual and environmental dosimetry and biological dosimetry. Main infrastructures include: the Laboratory of Metrology of Ionizing Radiation, recognized by the Portuguese Institute of Quality as a Designated Institute for Ionizing Radiations, and as a Metrological Verification Organism (Regulation n.º1178/2023, of January 24th), which integrates the network of secondary dosimetry laboratories of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the World Health Organization (IAEA/WHO).
- The Environmental Radioactivity Group determines the concentration of natural and artificial radionuclides in various types of samples, such as water for human consumption, food, aerosols, building materials, radon in indoor air and water, among others. Comprises radiochemistry laboratories for sample preparation and laboratories associated with liquid scintillation measurement techniques, proportional counter and gamma and alpha spectrometry.
- The Operational Group for Radiological Protection carries out the activities of monitoring
facilities and equipment, transporting radioactive material for disposal and the management of radioactive waste.
Comprises a
gamma spectrometry laboratory for high activity samples and large dimensions, measurement equipment suitable for various
types of radiation. At the
Radioactive Waste Warehouse is carried out the activity associated with the management of radioactive waste that includes the identification, segregation and storage of radionuclides for disposal
Cross-cutting activities include radiological safety assessment of facilities, preparation and response to radiological emergencies (participation in simulacrums in collaboration with the Armed Forces, UEP-PSP, APA and ANEPC), as well as the organization and realization of training courses in Radiological Protection and Safety not conferring academic degree.
2. Provision of Services
Responsible for providing advanced services in Radiological Protection as well as ensuring the management of the Radioactive Waste Pavilion of IST, the only national infrastructure for the disposal of intermediate and low-activity radioactive waste.