Re: Personnel Monitoring When Damp/Sweaty

[High, Plains, Drifter]

Randy, without knowning the radionuclides of interst, showering and drying

before monitoring is a method that has been used in the uranium processing

industry for a while.  The alpha and beta emitters would only be an internal

hazard in most situations, unless it is a fuel fragment.  Most significant

energy beta emitters are detectable through clothing so sweat should not be

a problem.   Also, more than likely there is a gamma component with the

radionuclides of interest  that can be used as a surrogate for estimating

the alpha and beta emitters.  In certain conditions low energy beta emitters

of interest can be masked by natural radon 222 progeny (Po 218/Pb 214 and

Bi-214/Po 214) that tend to attach to clothing and skin.



Dean Chaney, CHP





----- Original Message ----- 

From: "Redmond, Randy (RXQ)" <redmondrr@Y12.doe.gov>

To: <radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu>

Cc: "Pruitt, Perry D (PP2)" <pruittpd@Y12.doe.gov>

Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2003 4:09 AM

Subject: Personnel Monitoring When Damp/Sweaty





> A question has been raised concerning the detection efficiency for

personnel

> monitoring for alpha and low energy beta contamination when the

individuals

> are damp/sweaty (actually been working - at least sweating).  Do any of

you

> have any special monitoring "techniques" (e.g. lower PCM set-point by a

> factor of 2, 3, etc.) or studies you have performed on this subject.  I

> remember someone raising the "issue" (I use this term loosely; people have

> sweated forever, will continue to sweat, and the monitoring

instrumentation

> I have is the best available) several years ago.

>

> Thank you for your assistance.

>

> Randy Redmond

> Radiological Control Organization

> BWXT Y-12 L.L.C.

> Oak Ridge, TN

> 865-574-5640

>

>

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