Through its calibration and audit services, the IAEA Dosimetry Laboratory assures that the measurements for radiotherapy and radiation protection are both accurate and reproducible around the world.??

As the central laboratory of the joint IAEA and World Health Organization (WHO) Network of Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratories (SSDLs), which was established in 1976 and currently consists of 87 SSDLs, the IAEA Dosimetry Laboratory has calibrated the national reference standards of almost 90 different countries. SSDLs then utilize these standards to calibrate the equipment of end users such as hospitals and regulators. Through its laboratory, the IAEA establishes the link between countries and the International System of Units — assuring consistency and uniformity that the amount of radiation delivered is the same across the globe. Since 2011, the IAEA Dosimetry Laboratory has calibrated more than 800 ionization chambers and issued over 1500 certificates. In 2023 and 2024 alone, the laboratory calibrated 106 such chambers while issuing 229 certificates to SSDLs in 39 different countries.??

To further support hospitals, the IAEA also provides vital dosimetry audit services to every corner of the world. Through the joint postal audit programme with the WHO, hospitals receive dosimeters (equipment that measures absorbed doses of ionizing radiation), irradiate these small devices as if they were a patient and return them to the IAEA. The IAEA Dosimetry Laboratory then compares the radiation dose the hospital delivered to the one it intended to administer. If there is a discrepancy, the laboratory will ask for a second dosimeter to be irradiated and will follow up. Over the past 55 years, the programme has checked more than 22 700 radiotherapy beams and 6000 machines in nearly 2900 hospitals across 145 countries. In the last two years alone, it has assessed more than 2200 beams and over 950 machines in nearly 660 hospitals in 110 countries — underscoring the growing demand for these audit services.?

To address the clinical developments and technological innovations that shape ionizing radiation’s use within medicine, the IAEA Dosimetry Laboratory conducts research activities that develop new devices, procedures and methodologies for dosimetry audits. Carried out through IAEA coordinated research projects, this work not only assists countries in designing and running effective dosimetry practices and audits of their own but also helps train the next generation of researchers.??

Successes have included the development of quality assurance programmes for radiation therapy dosimetry in developing countries; from simple to complex treatment techniques; and for advanced technologies in dose delivery in radiotherapy. Its most recent research project has resulted in a brachytherapy dosimetry audit methodology.???

In terms of education and training, the Dosimetry Laboratory supports activities on calibrations, dosimetry auditing, quality management, quality assurance and quality control — facilitating the exchange of scientific knowledge through internships, fellowships and scientific visits. Its linear accelerator, high dose rate brachytherapy system and treatment planning system are regularly used to train clinical staff through workshops and courses. Together with laboratories and hospitals around the world, it also supports trainings on dosimetry codes of practice. ??

“Given the technological advancements in cancer management, particularly in radiotherapy, maintaining quality assurance and adhering to robust dosimetry practices is essential to ensure patient safety,” emphasized Jamema Swamidas, Head of the IAEA Dosimetry Laboratory.??