[ RadSafe ] on-site versus vendor provided dosimetry

[Sander Perle]

James,

 

I suggest contacting some of the utilities that outsourced more recently, such as Diablo Canyon (during the past several years). Their assessment would be more current. One more factor I did not include in my list is the staff reduction, and dosimetry is always one of the first to be hit.

 

Regards,

 

Sandy

Retired, Consultant

 

From: <radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu> on behalf of Sander Perle <sandyfl at cox.net>
Reply-To: "The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing List" <radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu>
Date: Thursday, August 17, 2017 at 7:07 AM
To: "The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing List" <radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu>
Subject: Re: [ RadSafe ] on-site versus vendor provided dosimetry

 

Hello James,

 

 

While I can’t provide you with current cost comparisons, I did this back in the late 70’s and 80’s, I ran an in-house dosimetry program while at Florida Power and Light Company, 1976-96 and from there went to a commercial dosimetry processor. You are correct, there are only a few NPPs currently performing their own in-house processing, typically where the utility has multiple sites and can establish a central processing location, otherwise, the cost becomes prohibitive for setting up a processing facility at each site. Almost all sites outsource their dosimetry. These are the costs that have to be considered that in the end, makes for more economical reasons for outsourcing:

 

Processing equipment for redundancy

Back-up facility in the event of a catastrophic loss of the facility

Calibration sources

Databases and software for running personnel information, dosimeter assignment, quality assurance record keeping requirements, retention of data, coordination of all the data into the individual’s dose history

Establishing an algorithm for each dosimeter type, i.e., whole body, extremity, neutron, etc.

Dosimeter inventory for exchange and backup in the facility for replacement of lost, damaged or new staff

The qualified staff, including the positions to meet NVLAP and other regulatory requirements

The cost of NVLAP itself

Independent assessment of dose, sometimes eliminates the “perceived” conflict between site produced dose versus a 3rd party

Inter-comparison testing with another facility, required

Internal and other external audits

 

The above are just examples of what must be considered. 

 

 

Regards,

 

 

Sandy

 

Retired, Consultant

 

 

From: <radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu> on behalf of "Tracy, James W. (Fed)" <james.tracy at nist.gov>

Reply-To: "The International Radiation Protection (Health Physics) Mailing List" <radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu>

Date: Thursday, August 17, 2017 at 6:23 AM

To: "radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu" <radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu>

Subject: [ RadSafe ] on-site versus vendor provided dosimetry

 

 

Hello,

 

 

Does anyone have any cost comparisons for processing dosimetry on-site versus obtaining vendor provided services?  I'm trying to see what the typical threshold is (e.g < 5,000 dosimeters per year) for when companies switch to vendor provided dosimetry.  I realize there are other factors involved in the decision but I'm just trying to get a general idea.

 

 

Do most nuclear utilities obtain vendor provided services?  I viewed the list of accredited NVLAP processors from the NVLAP website and there were only 4 utilities listed (I thought there would be more).

 

 

James Tracy

 

NIST

 

100 Bureau Drive

 

Building 235 Room A109

 

Gaithersburg, MD 20899

 

Phone: 301-975-5810

 

email: james.tracy at nist.gov

 

 

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