National Calibration Reference Centre for Bioassay and In Vivo Monitoring

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About

The National Calibration Reference Centre for Bioassay and In Vivo Monitoring was established in 1982 within Health Canada’s Radiation Protection Bureau. It helps improve workplace safety through testing that measures workers’ internal exposures to radiation.

The centre provides independent testing services to:

This is to demonstrate their compliance with requirements stated in the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Regulatory Standard. This independent testing is a critical step in ensuring that measurements of internal radiation doses to workers are accurate.

Programs and services

The centre is registered to ISO 9001 and has adopted a set of performance standards containing technical specifications and criteria. We use these as guidelines to ensure that:

To join the performance program, send us a completed Participation Form by email or fax before the end of February of each year.

Bioassay performance tests

The centre offers performance testing samples for the bioassay of:

These samples let facilities establish that the quality of their bioassay monitoring program meets the requirements of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

Learn more about:

In vivo monitoring performance tests

In vivo monitoring performance tests measure the amount of iodine in a thyroid gland. The centre provides specially designed neck phantoms and inserts that mimic real thyroid glands containing simulated:

The centre also provides series of phantoms for facilities to establish that the quality of their in vivo monitoring program meets Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission requirements. These series include:

We also provide:

Our performance testing program participants can also use these phantoms to establish calibration factors.

Learn more about:

Research in bioassay and in vivo measurement

The centre researches the accuracy of bioassay and in vivo measurements. Topics include:

We carry out this research alone or together with other national or international organizations.

The centre also provides bioassay and in vivo monitoring of people who may have been contaminated with radionuclides.

Contact us

National Internal Radiation Assessment Section
Radiation Surveillance and Health Assessment Division
Radiation Protection Bureau
Health Canada
775 Brookfield Road
A.L. 6302D
Ottawa, ON K1A 1C1

Email: hml-lsh@hc-sc.gc.ca
Telephone: 613-954-6667
Fax: 613-960-1372
Teletypewriter: 1-800-465-7735 (Service Canada)

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