Re: Asking for opinions, control badges

["Ronald Frick" <RFRICK@gammacorp.com>]

On the issue of posting control badges to correct for exposure from nearby radioactive materials, please keep in mind that control badges only provide an accurate correction when all of the badges are in the same location, or under similar background dose rate conditions.  Since the badges are only stored on the rack when the workers are NOT wearing them, the control badges will only be accurate if the radioactive materials are placed near the rack only during times when 100% of the workers are not wearing their badges.  If all workers are using their badges while the controls are being exposed, applying this correction to the badges will only underestimate the workers' actual exposure.  Of course, this is only an issue if the exposure from these materials is significant.  Post a badge in your proposed rack location and compare to the control readings you are getting in the current location.

Ron Frick, CHP
rfrick@gammacorp.com


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