Re: Firefighters and Dosemetry in the UK.

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@ix.netcom.com>]

Rahim Ghanooni detailed the capabilities of an EPD and remote 
telemetry very well. The purpose of which is to reduce the total 
exposure to the work force by being able to move individuals around 
in a work environment from a remote location. When this is tied in 
with video, you have a very good ALARA system for getting work done 
in a timely yet reduced exposure environement, within reason. This 
can be facilitated since the environment, locations to be worked are 
well known in advance.

The problems I foresee with a firefighting brigade is that many 
unknown areas will be worked, the radiation environment can be 
different and the external factors are also unknown, i.e., any RF or 
other environmental detractors located within the area. While the 
concept does answer many of the questions and concerns raised in the 
initial post, the primary issues to be resolved are again:

1. Types of radioactive materials in the area
2. Primary modes of exposure
3. Energy spectra
4. Angularity from the source to the detector
5. RF interference
6. Dose rate and cumulative dose dependency
7. Source calibration

All of these add a significant amount of unknowns, and need to be 
rectified, since the EPD is to be used as a "dose control" 
instrument.

Dual calibrations help, if there are different microprocessors 
employed. The issue of dose rate, energy spectra and type of 
radiation are very serious, if the information derived and provided 
by the EPD is to be useful .. an error in any of these factors can 
lead to disastrous results if used in a highly contaminated, high 
dose rate area... if the EPD is not "setup" properly.

The EPD can be very helpful ..  but for remote telemetry to be 
effective,  the potential environments must be assessed .. such as 
distance, number of individuals to be monitored ... etc. Another 
important question to be addressed, WHO makes the decision that the 
firefighters should be withdrawn from the area if it is determined 
that the dose rates or cumulative exposure is too high, even if there 
are lives at risk "within" the fire area? This is a different issue 
than monitoring the individual effectively, for it's the dose to the 
firefighters that is being addressed by the question. The limits 
become very important when the EPD factors provide "ineffective" or 
"inaccurate" exposure information if all of the factors aren't 
resolved.

A very good topic for discussion.

------------------
Sandy Perle
Technical Director
ICN Dosimetry Division
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Office: (800) 548-5100 x2306 
Fax:    (714) 668-3149
  
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