Instrumentation

Instrumentation in Operational Radiation Protection

A wide range of instruments, portable and installed, are available and in use for workplace monitoring activities in the control of practices and for support to the Agency’s operations under different programmatic activities.

Dose rate meters, nuclide identifiers, surface contamination meters, air samplers and installed continuous air monitoring devices are the main instruments employed. Additionally gamma and alpha spectrometers as well as low background beta counters are used to carry out other specific monitoring activities for facility control. A drum scanner to measure alpha emitters in radioactive waste resulting from SG verification samples is operational for monitoring waste before disposal.

The operational monitoring activities include emergency planning for on-site accidents that may cause substantial exposures to individuals, damage to the facilities and possible impacts on the environment. Drills and exercises with participation of first aid medical staff are done every year. A suitable facility is available for personal decontamination and first aid including detection instruments for skin and wound contamination.

To fulfill its monitoring and assistance tasks, the laboratory makes use of various types of equipment, as listed below:

  • Alpha Air Monitors
  • Ionisation Chambers
  • Dose Rate Meters (beta-gamma, X)
  • Contamination Monitors (alpha)
  • Wound Monitors
  • Hand Monitors
  • Hand-Foot Monitors
  • Neutron Rem Counter

This monitoring equipment is checked and calibrated annually. In addition, the section:

  • Provides users, as needed, with practical handbooks for specific instruments
  • Tests new equipment provided by companies
  • Keeps an updated instruments inventory
  • Provides advice on radiation protection equipment

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| Last update: Tuesday, December 9, 2014.