RE: TLD-shielding

[L_K_II_Les_Aldrich@RL.gov]

One way to explain it might be that the HP evaluated the exposure path
from the source to the dosimeters and concluded that all the radiation
reaching the dosimeters had to pass through the concrete wall, so the
window was irrelevant.

If I had a question like this, the first place I would go is to the
person who did the calculation and ask, "Why did you use concrete values
for the window?"  I'd expect the HP to respond "I did it because ..." or
"Oops.  That's not right.  I'm going to have to do the calculation
over."  Over the years, I've discovered it's easier to resolve issues if
you talk to the person involved than it is to try to construct a
scenario as to why the person "did it that way".  From the way this
thread has gone, I almost have to assume there is some professional or
political barrier that prevents you from talking to the HP.  If so,
that's a more serious problem than concrete in a window.

Les Aldrich

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Archer, Joe [SMTP:archerj@wipp.carlsbad.nm.us]
> Sent:	Tuesday, September 14, 1999 6:57 AM
> To:	Multiple recipients of list
> Subject:	RE: TLD-shielding
> 
> First, I want to thank all who commented.
> It is interesting that I saw much concern about accusing an unnamed
> party of
> falsifying a calculation but no one seemed concerned that someone may
> have
> done it. It is like there is more concern about confronting a false
> calculation than there is about performing a false calculation. Maybe
> that's
> part of being 'cops' of radcon.
> 
> Many people commented that they couldn't rule on such an issue without
> seeing all the facts. I find that particularly interesting in that the
> only
> question posed was whether it is appropriate to assume 16 inches of
> concrete
> shielding when only 1/4 inch of glass is there. Perhaps I should
> rephrase
> the question. Can anybody explain to me how an HP might accidentally
> or
> intentionally insert 16" of concrete into a calculation involving a
> window?
> I am dying to explain this away as an accident or some even remotely
> credible excuse. However, our ethics policy says that I am expected to
> report unethical behavior and I don't have the liberty to ignore
> something
> that smells to high heaven.
> 
> Joe
> archerj@wipp.carlsbad.nm.us
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