A critical discussion of the 2nd intercomparison on electron paramagnetic resonance dosimetry with tooth enamel

Recently, we have participated in 'The 2nd International Intercomparison on EPR Tooth Dosimetry' wherein 18 laboratories had to evaluate low-radiation doses (100-1000 mGy) in intact teeth (Wieser et al., Radiat. Meas., 32 (2000a) 549). The results of this international intercomparison seem to indicate a promising picture of EPR tooth dosimetry. In this paper, the two Belgian EPR participants present a more detailed and critical study of their contribution to this intercomparison. The methods used were maximum likelihood common factor analysis (MLCFA) and spectrum subtraction. Special attention is paid to potential problems with sample preparation, intrinsic dose evaluation, linearity of the dose response, and determination of dose uncertainties. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.