Radiation Protection Unit of the Institute for Medical research and Occupational Health carries out research in the field of radiation protection and radiation science, which is facilitated via scientific research projects and professional activities on public health related issues.   

The Unit

-    carries out investigations of environmental pollution by natural and fission produced radionuclides in the Republic if Croatia ever since 1959; 

 -   addresses measures for radiation protection and determination of the level of irradiation of human population, in compliance with authorisations of the Institute in the field of radioecology and radiation protection;

-   studies circulation mechanism of biologically important radionulclides which are either directly or indirectly absorbed by a living organism through the food chain;

-   monitors and determines spreading of radioactive substances through all components of the biosphere, identifies locations and media sensitive thereon;

-   performs investigations of natural radioactivity and technological processes related to enhanced natural radioactivity (disposal sites for ash, slag and  phospogypsum, oil boreholes, mineral and geothermal water sources);

-   carries out investigations of fission related radioactivity in all media of the biosphere (air, precipitation, sea, water, soil, flora and fauna, human and animal food, bones) as well as in animal and human material (bioassay);

-   assesses and models transfer of radionuclides from fallout to humans, risk from external irradiation, risk from radionuclide intake in normal and accidental conditions, risk due to exposure of people to radon in households and working environment;

-  develops radiochemical methods, measurement methods, dosimetry models, related emergency methods; 

-   Unit members participate in educational activities at all levels, as occasional or permanent lecturers that pursue acquiring and improving knowledge in the field of radiation protection.

Primary activities

1. Determination of the activity of any radionuclide in any sample

The methods used:

-    high resolution gamma spectrometry

-    determination of beta activity 

-    determination of alpha activity 

-   specific radiochemical analyses (e.g., for determination of radium, strontium, polonium, plutonium, lead, tritium, carbon,…)

Methodology of each particular method is defined by internationally accepted procedures: : HASL-300 EML procedures manual, Environmental Measurements Laboratory, US Department of Energy, New York,  revision No. 27 from 1992.

2. Determination of the ionising radiation dose in any point of space

The methods used:

 -   mobile gamma spectrometry

 -  on-site measurements by a gamma radiation detector 

 -   thermoluminescence dosimetry

 -   measurements of the presence of radon in closed and open spaces

 -   determination of organism load by decay products of radon  (Working Level)