Question

What type of radiation exposure monitoring device is used most often by Radiologic Technologist? How is this device different from others? In your own words, explain advantages and disadvantages.

Answer 1

Radiation exposure monitoring devices are used to detect the various forms of radiation an employee or worker is exposed to. They help to detect exposure of a person to x-rays, gamma radiation, neutron and beta particles.

The film badge dosimeter is the most widely used radiation exposure monitoring device. The badge consists of photographic film, and a holder. The film emulsion is a photographic film black and white in colour. It has varying grain size to affect its sensitivity to incident radiation. The film after use is removed from a packet which protects it from light exposure and developed to measure exposure.

Advantages of the film are inexpensive, user friendly, easy to handle and process, reasonably accurate

Disadvantages of the film are :

- cannot be reused

- have life of only one month. After that they get damaged from fogging by temperature and humidity.