Page "Food irradiation" Paragraph 18

The measurement of radiation dose is referred to as dosimetry and involves exposing dosimeters jointly with the treated food item.

Dosimeters are small components attached to the irradiated product made of materials that, when exposed to ionizing radiation, change specific, measurable physical attributes to a degree that can be correlated to the dose received.

Modern dosimeters are made of a range of materials, such as alanine pellets, perspex ( PMMA ) blocks, and radiochromic films, as well as special solutions and other materials.

These dosimeters are used in combination with specialized read out devices.

Standards that describe calibration and operation for radiation dosimetry, as well as procedures to relate the measured dose to the effects achieved and to report and document such results, are maintained by the American Society for Testing and Materials ( ASTM international ) and are also available as ISO / ASTM standards.