Radiation Safety Refresher Course

29-31 August 2018

EEI Corporation
#12 Manggahan St., Bagumbayan, Quezon City

Nuclear Training Center

Technology Diffusion Division
Philippine Nuclear Research Institute

1
 Introduction
• Possession of an operational and calibrated
radiation survey instrument(s) is one of the
Regulatory requirements as indicated in the
Code of PNRI Regulations (CPR)
• Radiation monitoring is for workplace and
personnel
• Frequency of calibration of survey
instruments is written in CPR
• The RPSS of PNRI has the capability to
calibrate survey instruments
 Objectives

• Importance of radiation monitoring

• Types of radiation monitoring
• Different kinds of radiation monitoring
instruments
• Choosing the right instrument
• Learn the basic procedure
Why do we need to perform radiation
monitoring?
 Possible Sources of Exposure

• operation of portable or installed industrial

devices with sealed sources
• preparation of radiopharmaceuticals
• dispensing and injecting radiopharmaceuticals
• handling radioactive patients
• operation of radiotherapy machines
 What are the different
radiation monitoring methods?
Methods in Radiation Monitoring

 Source Monitoring
- dose rate monitoring, source search
 Surface contamination survey
 Airborne contamination measurement
 Personnel monitoring
- Personal contamination monitoring
- Personal dose monitoring
Guides in Radiation Monitoring

• Purpose
• Instrumentation
• Basic Techniques
• Relevant data, Worksheets & calculations
• Interpretation of results
Source Monitoring
 Source Monitoring

 Purpose:
• Measurement of external doses (mR/hr,
uSv/hr)
- Approximation of effective dose to the body
- Estimate external hazard

• Locating radioactive materials / other

radiation sources
 Source Monitoring

 Instrumentation: external doses

• Surveys meters (mR/hr, uSv/hr)
• For X-ray & gamma-rays:
 100 mrem ~ 1 mSv
 1 mR ~ 1 mrem Dair (cGy or Rad) ≈ 0.88 ▪ X (R)
 1 mR ~ 10 Sv mR/hr

 Exposure (unit R)
• amount of ionization produced in air
 Equivalent Dose ( Sv )
• measure of the biological effect of a particular type of radiation
on organs or tissues
 Source Monitoring
 Instrumentation: external doses
 Source Monitoring
 Instrumentation : Locating radiation sources
 Locator instruments (e.g. Inspector 1000, Radiagem
2000 w/ NaI Probe)
 Typically in units of cps
 Source Monitoring

 Basic Techniques

1. Pre-operations check
2. Safety considerations
3. Basic procedure
 Source Monitoring

 Basic Techniques

1. Pre-operations check

• Visual Check
• Battery Check
• Calibration Check
• Source Check
• Light sensitivity check
 Source Monitoring

 Basic Techniques

2. Safety Measures

• Minimize the exposure time in each surveyed area

• Maximize the distance from sources of radiation
• Shield the sources of radiation where possible
 Source Monitoring
 Basic Techniques
3. Basic Procedures
1. Switch instrument on before entering the area
of suspected elevated dose rate.
2. Systematically search the area for elevated
levels of radiation using e.g. the locator. Mark
the location of the source
3. Measure the dose rate from the source. Note
the distance from the source. If dose rate
measurements are made at contact with the
source this should be stated in conjunction
with the dose rate reading. TAKE NOTE of off-
scale readings
4. Record the readings.
 Dose Rate meter range for the
following applications:
Application Doserate Meter Range

Industrial Radiography 0.02 mSv/hr – 10 mSv/hr

Industrial Devices 10 uSv/hr – 10,000 uSv/hr

Teletherapy 1 uSv/hr – 10,000 uSv/hr

Brachytherapy 1 uSv/hr – 1,000 uSv/hr &

10 uSv/hr – 10,000 uSv/hr

Use of Radiopharmaceuticals 1 uSv/hr – 10,000 uSv/hr

 Source Monitoring

 Relevant data, Worksheets & Calculations

radiation dose received by a person working in an area with a certain

dose rate is dependent on the time spent in that area

D = DR x time
Where:

D = total dose
DR = dose rate in uSv/hr
Time = total exposure time
 Source Monitoring
 Interpretation of results

1. What is the dose rate or level?

2. How is the level compared to the guidance levels?
3. What recommendations would you give other emergency
workers?
• What radiation control measures are necessary (time, distance,
shielding)? Or is it necessary?
• Would you recommend protective equipment, e.g. gloves, lead
gowns, cover shoes..
• How long do you stay in the area?
4. Would the radiation level pose a hazard to other people?
Surface contamination survey
 Surface contamination survey
 Purposes:
• To provide information on contaminated areas,
objects, tools, equipment and vehicles
• To initiate protective actions, clean-up operations
or decontamination as appropriate
• Detecting levels of radioactive material on surfaces
and determine the radioactivity per unit area
• To estimate internal hazard
 Surface contamination survey
 Instrumentation
• Contamination monitors (e.g. Radiagem with / 
probe, Automess)
• Typically in units of cps, cpm
 Surface contamination survey

 Basic Techniques

1. Pre-operations check (Appendix 1)

2. Safety considerations
3. Basic procedure
 Surface contamination survey

 Basic Techniques

1. Pre-operations check (Appendix 1)

• Visual Check
• Battery Check
• Calibration Check
• Source Check
• Light sensitivity check
 Surface contamination survey

 Basic Techniques

2. Safety Considerations

• Minimize the exposure time in each surveyed area.

• Maximize the distance from sources of radiation.
• Shield the sources of radiation where possible.
• Wrap the instruments in plastic to prevent contamination
except for the detector window.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, at
minimum disposal gloves and overshoes.
 Surface contamination survey

 Basic Techniques

3. Basic Procedures
• Select appropriate contamination monitor for the radionuclide
contamination in question.
• Measure and record background radiation level on Recheck this
level periodically to ensure that the detector has not become
contaminated.
• Using the audio response of the contamination monitor
sequentially sweep the area with the contamination monitor
moving it at a (slow) steady rate across the suspect surface.
 Surface contamination survey
 Basic Techniques
3. Basic Procedures
 Surface contamination survey
 Basic Techniques
3. Basic Procedures

• Note reading of the monitor. If there is reading of

significance (e.g. 2x bkg), record the measurement.
• Record readings indicating alpha, beta+gamma, beta
and/or gamma and where and when taken and any
special circumstances.
• Measure also dose rate of contaminated surface
 Surface contamination survey
 Basic Techniques
3. Basic Procedures
• Based on your results, calculate for surface activity using:

100 1
T C 
Ec A
where
T = Total contamination level in Bq/cm2
C = Net count rate in cps (i.e. count rate corrected for background)
Ec = Percentage efficiency of counting system
A = Area of probe in cm2
 Surface contamination survey
 Basic Techniques
3. Basic Procedures
A Radiagem 2000 alpha/beta detector is used to measure
surface contaminated of a spill. The average count is measured
at 200 counts per second (cps) and the background count rate
is measured at 10 counts per second. If the area of the probe
is 100 cm2 and the efficiency of the counter is quoted as 10%
for the radionuclide being detected, what is the total surface
contamination level in Bq/cm2?

100 1
T C 
Ec A
 Surface contamination survey
 Interpretation of results

1. What is the surface contamination level?

2. How is the level compared to the guidance levels?
3. What recommendations would you give the IC & other
emergency workers?
• What radiation control measures are necessary (time, distance,
shielding)? Or is it necessary?
• Would you recommend protective equipment, e.g. gloves, lead
gowns, cover shoes..
• How long do you stay in the area?
4. Would the radiation level pose a hazard to other people?
Airborne contamination
measurement
 Airborne contamination
measurement
 Purpose
• Measurement of concentration of
radioactive materials dispersed in air
 Airborne contamination
measurement
 Instrumentation
 Air sampler
 Counter (e.g contamination meter, portable counters)
 Form of contamination and its collecting media
• Vapour (including Iodine)
- charcoal
• Noble gas
- charcoal
• Dust
- filter media
• Liquid aerosols
- absorbent
 Airborne contamination
measurement
 Instrumentation
 Air sampler
 Counter (e.g contamination meter, portable
counters)
 Form of contamination and its collecting media
 Airborne contamination
measurement
 Basic Techniques

1. Safety considerations
- Team members involved in sample collection
and processing should refrain from smoking,
drinking, eating, use of cosmetics, or any other
such activity that might inadvertently
contribute to the inhalation or ingestion of
particulates while in the field or working in
sample receipt or processing areas.
 Airborne contamination
measurement
 Basic Techniques
2. Basic Procedures
• Find the sampling location requested
• Choose filter or cartridge as appropriate and mount it. Note
the flow directions on the filter/cartridge, if applicable.
• Set the air sampler in a tripod or stand or on the hood of a
vehicle at about 1 m high
• Turn the sampler on and record the starting date, time and
volume reading/flow rate
• Perform for about 10 minutes. During the sampling take
ambient dose rate measurements. Record.
• Record time and volume reading/flow rate, then turn sampler
off.
 Airborne contamination
measurement
 Basic Techniques
2. Basic Procedures
• Measure dose rate of the filter.
• Using the appropriate contamination monitor, take
a background reading well away from the sample.
• Hold the filter face a few millimeters from the end
of the contamination monitor probe and take
reading. Record the measurement
 Airborne contamination
measurement
 Basic Techniques
2. Basic Procedures
• Measure dose rate of the filter.
• Using the appropriate contamination monitor, take a
background reading well away from the sample.
• Hold the filter face a few millimeters from the end of the
contamination monitor probe and take reading. Record the
measurement
 Airborne contamination
measurement
• Calculate airborne concentration using the following:

100 1
T C 
Ec V
where
T = Total airborne concentration level in Bq/L
C = Net count rate in cps (i.e. count rate corrected for background)
Ec = Percentage efficiency of counting system
V = volume of air collected (L)
 Airborne contamination
measurement
 Basic Techniques
3. Basic Procedures

You performed an air sampling inside a radionuclide dispensing

laboratory. The sampling was performed for 15 minutes. The
flow rate of the air sampler is 350 L/hr. What is the total
airborne concentration if the net contamination meter reading
on the filter is 150 cps. The efficiency of the contamination
meter for the radionuclide of interest is 25%?

100 1
T C 
Ec V
 Airborne contamination
measurement
 Interpretation of results
• What is the airborne concentration?
• What recommendations would you give the workers in
case of emergency?
 Would you recommend protective equipment, e.g.
masks, coversuits, cover shoes..
 How long do you stay in the area?
 Would the radiation level pose a hazard to other people?
Personnel Monitoring
 Personnel Monitoring

 Purpose

 Personal dose monitoring

• Monitoring for the doses received by personnel
 Personal contamination monitoring
• External contamination of skin and clothing
 Personnel Monitoring

 Instrumentation: Personal dose monitoring

 Electronic personal dosimeters (EPD) (uSv)
• Isotrak, Atomtex
 Pen dosimeters (mR)
 For X-ray & gamma-rays:
• 100 mrem ~ 1 mSv
• 1 mR ~ 1 mrem
• 1 mR ~ 10 Sv

mR IS NOT A UNIT FOR DOSE

 Personnel Monitoring

 Instrumentation: Personal dose monitoring

 Electronic personal dosimeters (EPD) (uSv)
• Isotrak, Atomtex
 Pen dosimeters (mR)
 Personnel Monitoring
 Instrumentation: Personal dose monitoring
 Electronic personal dosimeters (EPD) (uSv)
• Isotrak, Atomtex
 Pen dosimeters (mR)
 Personnel Monitoring
 Instrumentation: Personal contamination monitoring

 Contamination monitors
• e.g. Automess
 Personnel Monitoring
 Basic Techniques: Personal Dose monitoring (Active
dosimeters)

1. Write your personal details, and details of personal

dosimeters
2. If instructed pre-set the audible alarm to the predetermined
operational dose limit.
3. If you are using a pen dosimeter, zero your pen dosimeter
with the zero adjust charger. If you do not have a zero
adjust charger, record the initial reading in your personal
dosimetry record form
4. Pin or clip personal dosimeter to your chest pocket inside
your protective clothing if needed.
 Personnel Monitoring
 Basic Techniques: Personal Dose monitoring (Active
dosimeters)

5. Note the audible chirp or beep rate. Be aware if this beep

rate increases as this indicates that the ambient dose rate in
your vicinity has increased.
6. If during field operation your dosimeter alarms, move away
from the affected area immediately and report your status
and the circumstances to base or RHSO.
7. Periodically check your dosimeter reading and record dose
received
 Personnel Monitoring
 Basic Techniques: Personal Dose monitoring (Passive
dosimeters)

1. Every time a worker enters a radiation (or suspected) area,

he/she should wear the dosimeter to monitoring occupational
doses received.
2. Pin or clip the dosimeter to your body with the front part of the
badge facing away from the body.
3. Wear the OSL dosimeters around the chest area to best measure
the doses received by the upper torso. If however, one part of
the body is most likely to be exposed than the other parts, such
as the waist, neck, or back, place the dosimeter on that area. Do
not allow clothing, buttons, pens or buckles to shield the front
of the badge.
 Personnel Monitoring
 Basic Techniques: Personal Dose monitoring (Passive
dosimeters)

4. If protective clothing is used, wear the dosimeter using the following

guidelines
a. When dealing primarily with penetrating radiation such as X-rays or
gamma-rays, place the OSL dosimeter under the protective clothing
b. When a non-penetrating radiation type is expected (e.g. beta radiation, or
photon radiation < 20 keV average) and the eyes or substantial areas of
skin are unprotected (e.g., the face and neck), then the dosimeter should
be placed on the outside of the protective clothing to ensure proper
measurement of shallow dose.
c. However for areas with potential contamination, place the dosimeter in a
thin plastic bag before wearing to avoid cross contamination.
d. When a lead vest / apron is used, place the dosimeter underneath it in
order to measure efficiency of the vest / apron in protecting the
personnel.
 Personnel Monitoring
 Basic Techniques: Personal Dose monitoring (Passive
dosimeters)

5. At the end of each work in the radiation facility, remove the

dosimeter and store it together with the Control dosimeter.
 Personnel Monitoring

 Basic Techniques: Personal Contamination Monitoring

1. Pre-operations check (Appendix 1)

• Visual Check
• Battery Check
• Calibration Check
• Source Check
• Light sensitivity check
 Personnel Monitoring

 Basic Techniques: Personal Contamination Monitoring

1. Turn contamination monitor audio on and place

probe in a light-weight plastic bag or cover to
prevent it from being contaminated.
2. Determine and record the background radiation
level periodically at the location where the
monitoring is to take place
3. Place the probe about 1 cm from the person’s body
being careful not to touch him/her.
4. Perform frisking.
 Personnel Monitoring

 Basic Techniques: Personal Contamination Monitoring

The probe should be

moved at a speed of
approximately 5 cm
per second.
 Personnel Monitoring

 Basic Techniques: Personal Contamination Monitoring

1. If contamination is detected record results. Measured area

(active surface of the detector) should be also recorded.
2. All personal belongings should be monitored including watches,
handbags, money, TLDs, and weapons.
3. Contaminated items should be bagged and labelled for
decontamination. Contaminated personal clothing may be
removed, bagged and labelled and substitute garments
provided (usually by public welfare agencies).
Methods in Radiological Measurements & Monitoring
 References
• Code of PNRI Regulations
• PNRI Regulatory Guides and Bulletins
• IAEA Practical Radiation Technical Manual -
Workplace Monitoring for Radiation and
Contamination; 2004
Thank you.
E-mail:
ntc@pnri.dost.gov.ph

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