Re: Dose estimates when dosimetry is lost/damaged

[Kent Lambert <lambert@allegheny.edu>]

Sandy Perle wrote:
> 
>  .. that our job, that of the
> processor is to ensure that a dosimeter is processed accurately and
> the results can be documented and supported. We are NOT an estimating
> service, that remains with the individual who either damaged or lost
> the badge.

The processor could provide a SERVICE to the customer that helps the customer 
estimate the radiation dose.  American Airlines job is to fly me to my family 
for the holidays, but they provide a meal (I know, airline food is an oxymoron), 
i.e., a service that improves the flight.   A dosimeter processing service just 
might be to report the average the previous radiation exposures so that the RSO 
can use this information as a part of his/her assessment of the estimated 
radiation dose.  It is the customer that decides whether this is a valid 
estimate or not.  It seem irrelevant whether the RSO spends hours and days 
looking through 3, 6, or 12 months worth of dosimetry reports and then averages 
the previous exposures by hand, or the processor (who has all of this 
information in a computer database) provides that information to the RSO for a 
fee.  

How do you propose to support and document the accuracy of the RSO's 
investigation of the estimated dose.  Would you require that the RSO submit the 
investigation for your review and approval before accepting his/her assessment? 

And to be nitpicky, the individual that lost or damaged the badge is NOT 
responsible for estimating the dose.  If your company damaged or lost the badge 
in processing, would the TLD reader technician at your facility be responsible 
for estimating the dose?  I hope not. The person responsible for estimating the 
dose is the person at the employer's institution that has responsibility for the 
radiation dosimetry program, e.g., the Radiation Safey Officer.

> As far as your last comment:
> "With all due respect, this is marketing and does not belong on
> RADSAFE.:
> 
> That doesn't even deserve a response.

Let me see, you state what your dosimetry processing company will do for its 
customers while criticizing your competitor's services.  Sounds like marketing 
to me.  

Kent Lambert, CHP
lambert@allegheny.edu

Then again, I could be wrong.