Accidental gamma dose measurement using commercial glasses.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Radiation Dosimetry
• Nuclear Physics

Background:

• Thermoluminescent (TL) techniques are crucial for measuring radiation doses.
• Commercial glasses are readily available and potentially useful for dosimetry.
• Accurate dose assessment is vital for managing radiation exposure incidents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the suitability of commercial glasses for accidental gamma dose measurement using TL.
• To determine the dosimetric properties of these glasses, including sensitivity, linearity, and fading characteristics.
• To assess the potential application of these glasses in radiological accident scenarios and medical triage.

Main Methods:

• Thermoluminescence (TL) measurements were performed on various commercial glasses after gamma irradiation.
• The dose response linearity, lower detection limit, and measurement uncertainty were evaluated.
• TL fading rates were analyzed under room conditions over a period of 15 days.

Main Results:

• Commercial glasses demonstrated sensitivity for gamma dosimetry with a lower detection limit of 1 Gy.
• Linear dose response was observed in the range of 1-25 Gy with a measurement uncertainty of +/- 10%.
• TL fading followed an exponential decay pattern, with 10-20% fading in 24 hours and up to 50% in 15 days, allowing for long-term dosimetry.

Conclusions:

• Commercial glasses are effective TL dosimeters for accidental gamma dose assessment.
• Their ease of use and immediate reading capability facilitate medical triage of radiation-exposed individuals.
• These glasses can serve as valuable tools for dosimetry in radiological accidents and for indicating lethal doses.