[ RadSafe ] Beta Attenuation through Gloves

[Neill Stanford]

David,
The reduction in beta dose offered by protective clothing depends on two
things: the density thickness of the material and the beta energy. For
gloves, the cotton liners, the thin latex type and the rubber gloves, if
used, all knock down some of the beta dose. Taking credit is not as simple
as eyewear for LOE dose, for example. In that case you can just look at the
new depth that the sensitive organ is now positioned at. 
For beta dose, you need to know the spectrum, or at least the end point
energy, and the total density thickness of the clothing. You can then
estimate the percent transmission through the clothing.

Even knowing this, the best approach is still to use extremity dosimetry for
some time and see if it is warranted. Or you could set up an experiment with
dosimeters inside and outside of the clothing. Then you need to document
that this experiment tested the worst case in your work environment (highest
potential beta energy.)

Hope this helps,


Neill Stanford, CHP
-----------------------------------------------------
Stanford Dosimetry, LLC NEW ADDRESS Feb 27
2315 Electric Ave.
Bellingham, WA 98229
 
www.stanforddosimetry.com
360 527-2627 (voice)
360 715 1982 (fax)
360 770-7778 (cell)
------------------------------------------------------

-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl [mailto:radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl] On Behalf
Of Nestle, David R.
Sent: Friday, March 24, 2006 5:21 AM
To: radsafe at radlab.nl
Subject: [ RadSafe ] Beta Attenuation through Gloves

Radsafers,

This question is more specific to the power plant folks, but others are
encouraged to provide me any insight that they can.

When assessing the need for extremity dosimetry, what type of credit do you
take for beta attenuation through gloves used with standard
anti-contamination protective clothing?  Have you established any particular
dose reduction factors for each layer of gloves?  Do you employ any
particular survey techniques to get "real world" readings prior to making
the decision?

If applicable and easily obtainable, it would also help me if you could
provide some characterization of the source term (dominant beta
sources/energies) that you are assuming in your assessments and the density
thickness that you consider for the gloves that you use.

I look forward to your responses.  Have a super day.

______________________________________________________________
David R. Nestle, CHP
Senior Health Physicist, Palisades Nuclear Power Plant 27780 Blue Star
Memorial Highway Covert, MI  49043-9530

T:  269.764.2701
F:  269.764.2439


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