A statistical method for the assessment of metrological characteristics of reference materials

Abstract

Standard reference materials of the composition and properties of substances and materials are used in both industrial and non-industrial sectors of society to ensure measurement uniformity and traceability in those types of measurements that cannot be provided using standards. During times of war and increased nuclear threat due to a full-scale invasion by an aggressor state, there is a need for heightened attention to the verification of ionizing radiation detection blocks, measurement channels of radiation monitoring systems, radiometers, and radiometric installations, as well as alpha, beta, and gamma radiation spectrometers. The aim of the paper is to demonstrate the method to evaluate the measurement uncertainty of reference materials (Europium-152 (Eu-152), Сaesium-137 (Cs-137), and Thorium-232 (Th-232)) when they are generated and calibrated according to the international regulations. The evaluation of the measurement uncertainty of a radioactive reference material with a natural half-life period is relevant and valid, considering its homogeneity properties and stability. To assess the properties, as well as the measurement uncertainty, one-variant variance analysis was performed.