Re: Airport Dosimetry

["Neil, David M" <NEILDM@inel.gov>]

     Several years ago, I co-conducted an exposure investigation of a
     researcher whose TLD showed neutron dose far in excess of what was
     even possible for the neutron source he had used.  It ultimately
     turned out to be caused by exposure to a (13mR/hr) radium dial compass
     in the backpack where the TLD was (improperly) stored for a length of
     time. The two items remained positioned such that the elements of the
     neutron albedo were exposed differentially, which the algorithm
     interpreted as neutron dose.  This was confirmed experimentally with
     the compass and a group of dosimeters.

     Dave Neil
     neildm@inel.gov


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Airport Dosimetry
Author:  RADSAFE (INELMAIL.RADSAFE) at _EMS
Date:    11/19/97 12:50 PM


     Does anyone know what to expect when a Panasonic 802 TLD goes through
     a 'explosives detector' at an airport?

     We recently processed a TLD which had 1.5 rem neutron plus 3.0 rem
     low-energy beta (no gamma).  This does not appear to be an
     occupational exposure or the result of improper TLD storage.  One of
     our follow-up actions will be to send a few test TLDs through the
     airport systems.

     My e-mail address is TBSundsmo@lbl.gov.

     Thanks,
     Todd