Film badge - Holder

The photographic film dosemeter is designed to

measure doses from X, beta and gamma radiations in
terms of the radiation quantities specified by the
Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The film badge
service is approved by the HSE under Regulation 35
of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999.
The dosemeter consists of a photographic film
(manufactured by Kodak) contained in light tight
wrapper. To cover the required dose range the film
incorporates two emulsions, of different sensitivities.
It is uniquely identified by means of a number which
is stamped onto the film and wrapper. The dosemeter
also bears the wearer's name or a serial number, the
establishment code number, the expiry date and an
optional personal identifier for each employee, e.g.
department name or a works number. We also provide
'wear and care' cards for each member of staff. These
are designed to help users understand more about how
and why they should wear the dosemeter. The wearer
places the wrapped film in a plastic holder, which is
supplied by the NRPB on permanent loan. The holder
contains a number of metallic and plastic filters which
are necessary to ensure that the dosemeters provide an
adequate measurement over a suitably wide radiation
energy range.
When developed the film darkens in proportion to the
amount of radiation energy received. From the
differing amounts of filtration we can gain
information on the energy of radiation causing the
dose. Radioactive contamination of the film can be
readily identified.

Film dosemeter technical specification

Detection
Dose range
measured

gamma rays

x-rays

beta particples

0.1 mSv to 10 Sv

0.1 mSv to 400 mSv

0.1 mSv to 10 Sv

10 keV to 7 MeV for Hp

Energy range (0.07)
detected
20 keV to 7 MeV for Hp
(10)
2, 4, 8, 13 weekly
Periods of use (calendar issue periods
are also available)

10 keV to 7 MeV for Hp

(0.07)
20 keV to 7 MeV for Hp
(10)
2, 4, 8, 13 weekly
(calendar issue periods
are also available)

700 keV to 3.5 MeV

(Emax) for Hp (0.07)
2, 4, 8, 13 weekly
(calendar issue periods
are also available)

Special features of the film dosemeter

Energy discriminating dosemeter
Through the use of several filters, the dosemeter is able to provide information on the type
and energy of the incident radiation.

Contamination
Radioactive contamination of the film can be readily identified.

Physical record
The film forms a physical record of the dose received by the wearer. The processed film is
stored by the NRPB for at least five years and may be accessed by the customer.
Film Badge Holder - Personnel radiation Monitor Badge
The film holder is constructed of impact resistant plastic and features a snap-tight hinged
door that allows for easy replacement of film packets.
Whole body or area badges come equipped with a sturdy metal clip.
Film Packet
The film is wrapped in a black protective paper and then sealed in a vinyl covering that
shields the sensitive material from light induced exposure. Tearing or puncturing the covering
will expose the film, therefore, destroying the ability to interpret the processed film
Image 1 Film Badge Holders

The film badge's multi-filter system is designed so that radiation will reach one quadrant of
the exposed film after penetrating three different filter areas (plastic, cadmium and copper)
and passing
through an open window. A cadmium (Cd) filter absorbs particles with energies less than 2
MeV and photons with energies less than 150 keV. Exposure to photons with energies more
than 150 keV is determined by comparing film response in the cadmium filter area with the
equivalent response on a calibration curve developed with a Cesium-137 source. The film
area under the copper (Cu) and plastic filters are used to determine radiation exposures from
photons of energy levels less than 150keV. Exposure to beta particles is determined from the
film response in the open window area (after correcting for response from other radiations, as
measured under the Cd, Cu, and plastic filters) using the appropriate calibration curves.
Image 2 Diagram of a Film Badge Holder and Film

All calculations are performed on the dosimetry service's state-of-the-art computer systems
using data from calibration curves and related film response measurements for each
film processed. Uniformity is important in film irradiation. Since all calibration
measurements for the film are made in the designated filter areas, film packets must be
exposed inside the film holder. The dosimetry service will not report results for film exposed
outside the holder.
The film holder is constructed of impact resistant plastic and features a snap-tight hinged
door that allows for easy replacement of film packets. Whole body or area badges come
equipped with a sturdy metal clip.
Film
Kodak Type 2 Personal Monitoring Film packets. Type 2 film consists of a single film base
with a
fast (sensitive) emulsion on one side and a slow (insensitive) emulsion on the other side.
Therefore, a single film in a convenient-to-use packet is capable of monitoring exposures
from a vast array of radiation hazards.

See also "Thermo luminescent dosimeter"

Useful Link :www.nrpb.org/
History of film badges / dosimeters
http://www.orau.org/ptp/collection/dosimeters/dosimeters.htm

COMPARISON WITH OTHER DOSIMETERS & DETECTORS

A wide variety of radiation detectors and dosimeters have been developed. Radiation detectors
are highly sensitive and can detect very low levels (e.g., a millirad/hour) of radiation,
characterize the types of isotopes involved in producing the radiation and determine the radiation
dose. These equipment can detect both high- and low-LET radiation. They are compared in Table
1 below.
Table

1:

Comparison

of

Electronic Quartz

different

Film

radiation

TLD

detectors

and

OSL/Luxel

dosimeters.

SIRAD

(Geiger)

Fiber

Approx. price

$100

$50

Dose range
(rad)

NA

0-1,000

LLD (rad)
Sensitivity
Results
Reusable
Disposable
Size
Effect of
ambient

Instant
Yes
-Bulky
NA

E.g.,
RADTriage

$100(1)

$100(1)

$100(1)

~$20

0-100

0-1,000

0-1,000

0-1,000

<0.001

<0.001

0.0001

~ 1(2)

High

High

High

Very high

Low

Instant

Days

Days

Days

Instant

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

No

--

Yes

--

--

Yes

Bulky

Small

Small

Small

NA

Light

Light

NA

Very high 0.1

Most

(AgBr)

Conditions

Heat

NA

Shock

Sturdy

Fragile

Sturdy

Sturdy

Sturdy

Radiation

X-ray

X-ray

Most

Most

Most

Archiving

No

No

Yes

No

Yes

Shelf life

NA

NA

Month

Months

Months

TLD = Thermoluminescence Dosimeter.

LLD = Lowest Limit of Detection.
OSL = Optically Stimulated Luminescence.

UV(3)

Heat(4)

Heat

Humidity Humidity

Smallest

None
Sturdiest
X-ray(4)
Yes
One year+

Luxel = Registered trademark of Landauer Inc.

(1) The price includes logistic costs including analysis service by supplier.
(2) One rad can be visually noticed and lower dose can be monitored with a spectrophotometer.
(3) Negligible effect with black protective cover.
(4) SIRAD can monitor very high energy (~1 MeV) electrons
SIRAD badge cant be used for detecting/monitoring low dose (below one rad) of radiation. Low
dose/level of x-ray is monitored with Geiger-Muller type and other counters and dose is
monitored by badges, such as silver halide X-ray film, OSL (optically simulated
luminescence) and TLD (Thermo Luminescence) dosimeters. Radiation detectors are expensive
and bulky. Film, OSL and TLD dosimeters have capability of monitoring one millirad (0.001
rad) dose while SIRADs lowest detection limit is about a few rads. The film, OSL and TLD
dosimeters are not instant and they need to be sent to an analytical laboratory for their analysis.
SIRAD is light weight and instant. SIRAD is a casualty dosimeter for monitoring 1-1,000 rads.
In an event of dirty bomb detonation and nuclear accident, one needs to monitor this dose range
as soon as possible. As can be seen from the table above, SIRAD is ideal for a high range of
doses at a very low cost. Some widely used radiation detectors and dosimeters are outlined
below:

RADIATION DOSIMETERS
A.
ACTIVE
A.1 Electronic Dosimeters:

MONITORING

Examples: Geiger-Muller or semiconductor detector

Detection: Detect x-rays and gamma radiation

Properties: Relatively expensive, usually quite rugged, reusable

A.2 Quartz Fiber Electroscope (QFE):

Consist of a small ionization chamber and quartz fiber

Radiation change the deflects the quartz fiber

Deflection is displayed in the eyepiece lens

Major disadvantage: Easily damaged if dropped or roughly handled.

B.
B.1 Film Dosimeters/Badges

PASSIVE

MONITORING

Used as a personal dosimeter

Use highly sensitivity silver halide film

Fitted with a range of filters

Distinguish beta, x-ray, gamma and thermal neutrons

Dose is determined by degree of blackening (optical density) and comparing

it with calibrated films

Provides permanent record of an individuals dose

Adverse effects of light and heat

Relatively short shelf life (months)

Require dark room facilities (development chemicals)

Significant manual handling during assessment

B.2 Thermoluminescent Dosimeters (TLDs)

Used as personal and environmental dosimeter

Use Thermo-Luminescent (TL) materials

Electrons are raised/trapped at higher energy levels

The energy is released as light when heated

Light emitted is converted into an electrical signal

Light emitted is proportional to incident radiation

Lithium (LiF:Mn) based TLDs for personal dosimetry: Because they are tissueequivalent

Calcium (CaF2:Dy, CaSO4:Dy) based TLDs for environmental monitoring: due

to their high sensitivity

Lithium borate (Li2B4O7:Mn) TLDs for high dose range dosimetry

TL materials are available in many different forms: e.g. powder, hot pressed
chips, pellets, impregnated Teflon disks

Read-out instrument (reader):are required

Method to heat the TLD material: Electrical, hot gas or a radiofrequency

heater, Heated in an inert gas during read-out

Device to convert the light output to an electrical pulse

Light signal is amplified using a photomultiplier (PM)

Small size (only milligram quantities of TL material is needed)

TLDs can be reused

Disadvantages of TLDs

Only one time reading during heating, cannot be repeated

Subject to fading (due to temperature or light effects)

B.3 Nuclear emulsion or track etch dosimeters

Neutron dosimetry and alpha particles (e.g., from radon)

For
additional
information
visit
the
following
http://www.cs.nsw.gov.au/rpa/pet/radtraining/radtrainman.shtml
http://www.cs.nsw.gov.au/rpa/pet/radtraining/PersonalDosimetry.htm

websites

Self-indicating Instant Radiation Alert Dosimeter

SIRAD (Self-indicating Instant Radiation Alert Dosimeter) is a user-friendly, lowcost, wearable, and disposable radiation dosimeter for monitoring high dose (1 rad to
1,000 rads) of ionizing radiations. As the name suggests, it is a self-indicating and
instant radiation dosimeter. It is always active and ready to use. It does not need
battery. Photos of SIRAD badges before and after irradiation with 40 rads of 100
KVP X-ray of a 2-200 rads badge are shown in Figure 1.
TM

Figure 1: Photos of SIRAD badges before (left) and after (right) irradiation with 100
rads of 100 KVP X-ray (batch #0406). The color bars printed with dose-number on
each side of the sensing strip is referred to as color reference chart.

SENSING STRIP - HOW DOES IT WORK?

When exposed to radiation from a "dirty bomb", nuclear detonation or a radiation
source, the sensing strip of SIRAD develops a blue color instantly (e.g., see Figure
1). The color intensifies as the dose increases (see Figure 2 for photos of a series of
sensing strips exposed to different dosages of X-ray), providing the wearer and
medical personnel instantaneous information on cumulative radiation exposure of the
victim.

10

25

40

75

125

200

Figure 2: A series of photos of the sensing strips irradiated with different dosages
(rads) of 100 KVP X-ray (batch #0406).
The color intensity of the sensing strip increases with increasing dose. A plot of the
sensing strips optical density (OD) (batch #0406) versus dose is shown in Figure 3.
Dose can be estimated with an accuracy of about 10% by determining optical density
of the sensing strip using the plot of Figure 3. Note: The data provided on this page
(e.g., Figures 2 and 3) are applicable only for the dosimeter shown in Figure 1 (batch
0406). Other batches of dosimeters may have different properties and hence the data
of Figures 2 and 3 cant be used for estimation of dose for the dosimeters from other
batches.

Figure 3. A plot of optical density versus dose (batch #0406).

Visible spectra of the element irradiated different dosages are shown in Figure 4.