Monitoring Your Radiation Exposure; Pregnancy And Radiation Exposure - Thermo Scientific XL2 User Manual

Monitoring your radiation exposure

Pregnancy and Radiation Exposure

Thermo Scientific
Individuals can be monitored for the radiation dose they receive by use of radiation dosimetry
devices (dosimeters). Monitoring dose using a dosimeter can be a way of identifying improper
use and at the same time demonstrating proper use. In some locations, dosimetry is required
by regulations and in others it is optional. It is normally required when the user could
reasonably be expected to receive in excess of 10% of the annual dose limit. Thermo Fisher
Scientific recommends that you determine and obey the local regulatory requirements
concerning radiation monitoring of occupational workers.
Two common types of dosimeters are whole-body badges and ring badges. Whole body
badges are often attached to the user's torso (e.g., clipped to the collar, shirt pocket, or waist as
appropriate). A ring badge is worn on the finger as a measure of maximum extremity dose.
When worn, the specific location of the dosimeter should be that part of the body that is
expected to receive the highest dose. This location will depend on how the analyzer is used
and so it may not be the same for all users. Dosimetry services are offered by many companies.
Two companies offering dosimetry services in the USA and much of the world are:
Company Global Dosimetry Solutions
Address 2652 McGaw Avenue
City and State Irvine, CA 92614
Website www.dosimetry.com
Phone Number (800) 251-3331
Note Wearing a dosimeter badge does not protect you against radiation exposure. A
dosimeter badge only measures your exposure (at the dosimeter location).
International guidance documents (e.g., ICRP Publication 60 and NCRP Publication 116*)
recommend that the radiation dose to the embryo/fetus of a pregnant woman should not
exceed a total of 500 mrem (10% of normal radiation worker limit) during the gestation
period. While this dose limit exceeds the dose limit to a trained operator, pregnant workers
may want to take special precautions to reduce their exposure to radiation. For more
information see the U.S. NRC Regulatory Guide 8.13 "Instruction Concerning Prenatal
Radiation Exposure" which can be found on the resource CD.
* The International Commission on Radiological Protection, ICRP, is an independent
Registered Charity, established to advance for the public benefit the science of radiological
protection, in particular by providing recommendations and guidance on all aspects of
protection against ionizing radiation.
2
Using Your Analyzer
Safely and Effectively Using Your Analyzer
Landauer, Inc.
2 Science Road
Glenwood, IL 60425-9979
www.landauerinc.com
(800) 323-8830
Niton XL2 Analyzer User's Guide 7