Re: Firefighters and Dosemetry in the UK. -Reply

[James Mallon <mallonj@myapc.com>]

Sandy and others have discussed the downside of using EPDs to
monitor firefighters.  Some of their points were well taken however I
think it is inaccurate to apply these generalizations to all EPDs on the
market.

I have recently been involved in assessing EPD performance in support
of a major purchase of equipment at a nuclear power plant.  The vendor
we selected  provides a EPD whose operation is not limited by some of
the generalizations stated.  Specifically the photon energy response
includes low energy(20keV) with angular response comparable to a
TLD.  The unit is reasonably watertight, rugged in contruction, and is not
susceptible to RF interference.  

I do agree with Sandy that an assessment of the facility hazards is
needed to properly identify monitoring requirements for emergency
response.   IMHO the EPD can provide firefighters with a live time
estimate of their dose when fighting a fire.  

Jamie Mallon

Millennium Services Inc.
mallonj@myapc.com
207-882-5643