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Re: Comments of First Response Action Levels



There is another use for these devices and that is the search for the 

radioactive source. These devices with the 0.1 mR per beep is a little 

insensitive for doing this search mode. However, if the device is poked 

into holes or waved around boxes, it no longer integrates dose to an 

individual, so you need to have rules for this kind of use. I still have 

a beeper from the '60s that beeps at 100 chirps per mR. These were used 

frequently to find and locate the source of the radiation, then survey 

meters were used to make the appropriate measurement. You might want to 

consider this use in addition to the dosimetry aspect that you have in mind.



John Andrews

Knoxville, Tennessee



Ken Smith wrote:



> Hi Radsafers –

>

> I’m assisting my local county by setting up some new radiation pagers 

> that they were able to recently obtain.

>

> They have purchased generic “pager-like” electronic dosimeters. The 

> dosimeter is sensitive to only gamma radiation > 50 Kev. They record a 

> deep-dose equivalent reading in 0.1 mrem increments. The dosimeter 

> comes with 1 alert and 1 alarm for the dose rate measurement, and 1 

> alert and 1 alarm for the dose measurement.

>

> I’ve been searching for some recommend levels and actions to have them 

> programmed at. Unfortunately its been very difficult to find federal 

> or state standards for actions levels for first responders. Below is 

> my attempt to set the alert and alarm levels.

>

> Your assistance is appreciated by sharing any comments that you may 

> have. Also, pointing me towards some other know action levels would be 

> great.

>

> ALERT AND ALARM LEVELS:

>

> Beep:

>

> Every 0.1 mrem of dose

>

> Action: Just an alert to Emergency Response Personnel

>

> Reference: N/A

>

> Alert Dose Rate:

>

> 0.5 mrem/hr

>

> Action: This is to indicate the presence of gamma radiation. Notify 

> OES/DHS of radiation presence.

>

> Reference: ~ 2x dosimeter background level.

>

> Alarm Dose Rate

>

> 2 mrem/hr

>

> Action: Public exposure limit. Evacuate public from areas exceeding 

> this level.

>

> Reference: 10 CFR 20 non-occupation dose limit.

>

> Alert Dose

>

> 5000 mrem

>

> Action: Trade out ER personnel for non-life saving activities

>

> Reference: 10 CFR 20 occupation dose limit

>

> Alarm Dose

>

> 50000 mrem

>

> Action: Trade out ER personnel for life saving activities

>

> Reference: NCRP 138 limit for emergency action.

>

> Thanks

>

> Ken

>

> *Ken Smith**, CHP *

>

> _____________________________________________________________________

>

> Radiation Safety Officer / Laboratory Safety voice: (831) 459-3911

>

> Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) cell: (831) 212-3911

>

> University of California fax: (831) 459-3209

>

> 1156 High St. e-mail: ksmith@ucsc.edu

>

> Santa Cruz, CA 95064 web: ehs.ucsc.edu

>

> Watch Pager: (866) 457-8509 or e-mail 8664578509@skytel.com

>





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