Radiation measurements and approvals

Radiation is measured for a variety of reasons, and there are different types of radiation detectors in use. In all measurements, it is important to use a right kind of measuring instrument for the purpose and to ensure that the instrument is in working order and calibrated. The measurement result must also be interpreted correctly. Some radiation measurements require separate approval.

Radiation measurements are carried out to protect workers when monitoring exposure conditions or individual doses. Measurements are also needed for quality assurance of the use of radiation and in health care when determining the radiation exposure of patients. In addition, radon measurements are carried out to assess the exposure of both workers and the general public. In order for the measurement results to be reliable, radiation measurements must be made with a suitable, intact and calibrated radiation detector that is in full working order. In addition to radiation measurements, computational methods are also used to determine radiation exposure. For more detailed information on the requirements for radiation meters is available in the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority Regulation on Measurements of Ionizing Radiation STUK S/7/2021.

Selecting a suitable radiation meter

When selecting a radiation meter, ensure that it is capable of measuring the type of radiation and the dose rate in question and that the energy range of the meter is suitable. The characteristics of the radiation meter must be suitable for the application, and the prevailing environmental conditions must not influence the measurement result in unpredictable ways.

The suitability of the radiation meter has to be verified particularly carefully when measuring pulsed radiation, very high dose rates or low-energy radiation. Typically, a single radiation meter type is not suitable for measuring all types and qualities of radiation. For example, a dose rate meter cannot be used for determining surface activity caused by radioactive contamination.

Calibration and condition monitoring

Radiation meters must be properly calibrated. Calibration means determining a calibration factor for the radiation meter, i.e. the ratio between the value indicated by the radiation meter and the value of the measured quantity. Calibration also involves determining uncertainty for the calibration coefficient. Radiation meters are calibrated in a laboratory that has traceability to international radiation measurement standards. A radiation meter has to be calibrated before it is put into operation. Thereafter, the calibration will be carried out at least once in every five years, unless otherwise specified at the time of approval of the measurement method or operations.

Stricter requirements have been set for the calibration intervals of meters used in healthcare and radon measurements. The calibration interval of a field instrument used for measuring medical exposure may not exceed two years. The calibration interval of measuring instruments used for dose calibration of radiotherapy equipment used for external radiotherapy may not exceed three years, and the same calibration interval applies to the radiation sources and measuring instruments used for calibration of radiation sources in brachytherapy. The calibration interval of a meter and measurement system for airborne radon concentration and radon exposure may not exceed two years.

Calibration might need to be repeated more frequently if the meter is adjusted or problems are detected in its operation. Initial calibration by the manufacturer is often sufficient for commissioning a radiation meter.

During calibration, the meter reading is usually not adjusted. The true value of the quantity of radiation is obtained by multiplying the meter reading by the calibration factor. The calibration factor may depend on the radiation quality to be measured. Therefore, the calibration has to be performed for the energy range for which the meter will be used.

The operating condition of the meter must be checked regularly between the calibrations. This includes checking the general condition of the meter and a functional test using a suitable radiation source.

Accuracy of measurements in radiation and dosimetry

All measurements are subject to uncertainty. Their impact on the measurement result is assessed in a measurement uncertainty estimate. The measurement uncertainty estimate indicates how well the measurement result describes the actual value of the measured quantity and what factors affect the measurement uncertainty.

Approval of radon measurements

Radon measurements carried out to assess occupational or public exposure or to ensure safety require an approval from the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority. The prerequisite for approval is that the equipment used for measurements meets the requirements laid down in the Radiation Act and the decrees and regulations issued on the basis thereof, and that the equipment has been appropriately calibrated. The calibration of the equipment must be valid at the time of measurement.

Form: Application for approval of radon measurement (in Finnish)

The test report based on the measurement must be compliant with the standard. The calibration factor determined during calibration must be taken into account when reporting the results of radon measurements. The actual radon concentration in respiratory air is obtained by multiplying the result given by the radon measuring device by the calibration factor.

More information on measuring radon

Approved radon measurements

The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) has granted several different operators an approval to carry out radon measurements. The approvals are in force for a limited period and must use the meter or measurement method for which the approval has been applied for.

Table 1. Alpha track radon detectors with a valid approval and calibration.

Organization Appliance type  Approval expiration date Approval

AlphaRadon Teo
(RadonFiX Suomi Oy*)

Alpha track radon detector 5 Nov 2024 Homes and workplaces

Eurofins Radon Testing Sweden AB
(Eurofins Environment)

Alpha track radon detector 8 Feb 2028 Homes, workplaces: detection of exceedance of action limit values or maximum values

Radonova Laboratories AB
(*Sustera Radon Consulting Oy
Homes
Workplaces)

Alpha track radon detector

Radtrak2
Radtrak3



14 Feb 2029
14 Feb 2029
Homes and workplaces
STUK – Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority Alpha track radon detector 22 Dec 2026 Homes and workplaces

*) Distributor stated by the holder of the approval decision.

Table 2. Portable alpha track radon detectors with a valid approval and calibration, intended for measuring radon exposure.

Organization Appliance type Approval expiration date Approval

AlphaRadon Teo
(RadonFiX Suomi Oy*)

Alpha track radon detector 1 Feb 2029 Occupational radon exposure of workers

Radonova Laboratories AB
(*Sustera Radon Consulting Oy)

​​​​​​Alpha track radon detector
Radtrak2
Radtrak3
Duotrak



14 Feb 2029
14 Feb 2029
14 Feb 2029

Occupational radon exposure of workers

*) Distributor stated by the holder of the approval decision.

Table 3. Continuously operating radon concentration measuring instruments with a valid approval and calibration.

Organization/Approval Appliance type  Approval expiration date Serial number of the measuring instrument
A-Insinöörit Suunnittelu Oy /Homes and workplaces Corentium Pro 24 Nov 2026 2700006989
2700013944
BlueForServices Oy (Suomen radonkeskus) /Homes and workplaces Corentium Pro 2 Feb 2026

 

2700006209
2700015423

Brado Oy /Homes and workplaces Corentium Pro 10 Feb 2028 2700008938
City of Helsinki /Workplaces Corentium Pro 14 Mar 2028 2700005664
2700005659
PBM Rakennustutkimus  /Homes and workplaces Corentium Pro 30 Sep 2026 2700011801
RadonFix Suomi Oy  /Workplaces Corentium Pro 12 Jan 2029 2700006435
2700006311
2700006400
2700006416
2700007460
2700008227
2700005785
2700006666
2700006830
2700006277
2700008638
2700006936
Radonova Laboratories AB /Homes and workplaces SPIRIT 1 Feb 2028

70B3D5D7202C0084
70B3D5D7202C0111
70B3D5D7202C019A
70B3D5D7202C0116
70B3D5D7202C00DC
70B3D5D7202C0107

Ramboll Finland Oy  /Homes and workplaces Corentium Pro 4 Feb 2025 2700008695
Ramo Pro Oy   /Workplaces Corentium Pro 31 Jan 2029 2700005872
2700005160
Suomen Radonpalvelut  /Workplaces AlphaGuard PQ2000 24 Feb 2027 EF0323
Sustera Radon Consulting Oy /Workplaces Corentium Pro 26 Jan 2028

2700005569
2700005612
2700005631
2700005651
2700005690
2700005698
2700006182
2700006224
2700006235
2700006239
2700006267
2700006297
2700006322
2700006333
2700006633
2700006763
2700006781
2700006872
2700006875
2700007429
2700007635
2700007683
2700007792
2700007813
2700007824
2700007857
2700007860
2700008572
2700008675
2700008968

Finnish Institute of Occupational Health/ Homes and workplaces AlphaGuard PQ2000 18 May 2027 AG000312

Bulletin on radon measurements with Corentium Pro measuring instruments (in Finnish)

Approval of dosimetry services

Dosimetry service providers who provide measurement services for individual dosimetry of workers, must apply for approval from the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority. An approval has to be sought for the dosimetry service itself and for the measurement methods used for individual dose monitoring.

The application for approval must demonstrate that the requirements laid down in the Radiation Act and in the decrees and regulations issued on the basis thereof are met. This can be demonstrated, for example, by calibration certificates, test reports and measurement uncertainty estimates.

An unsolicited application should be sent by e-mail to STUK's registry: stuk(at)stuk.fi, with "Approval of individual monitoring service" in the subject field.

Table 4. Approved dosimetry services. 

Organization Field of activity Expiration date Measurement methods
Doseco Oy Use of radiation Until further notice TLD, DIS
Fortum Nuclear Power and Heat Oyj Nuclear power plant Until further notice TLD
Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority in Finland, Environmental Radiation Surveillance Use of radiation Until further notice Determination of dose from internal radiation exposure: direct measurements with HPGe detectors, measurements from urine samples
Teollisuuden Voima Oy Nuclear power plant Until further notice TLD

Fees for radiation practices regulation