Accuracy of external personnel dosimetry systems in mixed neutron and gamma radiation fields

Conference · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:5831234

Swaja, R E

Estimates of biological effects associated with exposure to external radiation fields are generally based on the measured response of passive personnel dosimetry systems to the incident radiation. The increasing number of persons occupationally exposed to mixed neutron and gamma fields and recent questions concerning the relative biological hazards of different types of radiation have emphasized the need for accurate personnel radiation dose measurements. The performance characteristics of various neutron and gamma personnel dosimetry systems under actual mixed-field conditions have been determined. Analysis of the results indicates that significant inaccuracies can occur in neutron and gamma dose measurements in mixed radiation fields unless dosimeter performance and characteristics of the monitoring environment are considered in dosimeter evaluation. Neutron dose measurement accuracies could be improved by using dosimeters more suited to the anticipated radiation fields, calibrating dosimeters with sources appropriate for the energy spectra to be measured, applying correction factors to account for dosimeter performance in incident radiation fields, and standardizing the basis of reported dose equivalents. With regard to gamma monitoring, intercomparison results indicate that the selection of a basic dosimeter type which is relatively insensitive to neutrons is of great importance for accurate dose measurements in mixed fields.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5831234
• Report Number(s): CONF-830710-6; ON: DE83015712
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY
655003* -- Medical Physics-- Dosimetry
ACCURACY
ALBEDO-NEUTRON DOSEMETERS
BARYONS
DIELECTRIC TRACK DETECTORS
DOSE EQUIVALENTS
DOSEMETERS
DOSIMETRY
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
GAMMA RADIATION
HADRONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LUMINESCENT DOSEMETERS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NEUTRONS
NUCLEONS
PERSONNEL DOSIMETRY
PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM DOSEMETERS
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIATIONS
THERMOLUMINESCENT DOSEMETERS