External Dosimetry - Laboratory
Dosimeters
The laboratory operates two Hanshaw (?) 6000 TLD reader workstation and one Hanshaw 5500 TLD reader workstation. In addition, several ovens and table-top irradiators are available.
TLD Badges
Introduced in 1981, the laboratory for whole-body monitoring is presently making use of :
Extremity Dosimeters
Electronic Dosimeters
The evolution of monthly accumulated doses indicated by the TLD based system does not authorize a complete optimization of the individual exposures, since most of the monitored staff do not work permanently at the same facility and radiological conditions may vary in the course of the month. Therefore, a monitoring system that could provide real-time exposure data was looked for.
Starting 1 July 1996, Electronic Personal Dosimeters (EPD) were put into operation. These EPDs bring a number of advantages, among which are:
- Direct measure and calculation of the ICRU quantities, Hp(10) and Hs(0.07)
- Wider dynamic range
- Lower dose detection limit (typically 1 µSv)
- Audible and visible alarms on dose and dose rates. These alarms are set automatically to the wearer's pre-stated requirements. The instantaneous indication of radiation levels improves the control of exposures and reduction of individual doses. The immediate indication of total dose to-date and dose rates allows the effective implementation of the ALARA principle
- Easier transfer of dose data to database
- Easier to read
All these characteristics make the EPDs an essential component of the personnel monitoring system provided to any occupationally exposed worker.
After a one year test period, two models have been selected: Appropriate readers and management systems DB are available for the operator.
For further information please contact Rodolfo Cruz Suarez
