Study of size, type and the kerma approximation for thermoluminescent dosimetry

Estimation of the Effective Dose of Radiation Workers: Optimization Based on the Weight Percentile

Radiation workers might be exposed to polyenergetic photon radiation beams at different directions in their working environments. In this regard, their effective dose (E) should be accurately estimated using a two-dosimeter algorithm (TDA), based on the measurements of two thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) or film badges that are mounted on the front and back of the body. However, considering different human anatomies, radiation workers may have a variety of weight percentiles. This work sought to find whether TDA obtained for the reference weight percentile (50) can be used for higher weight percentiles (including; 65, 75, 85, and 95). MCNPX was used to simulate different weight percentiles on the revised ORNL phantom by adding extra layers of muscle and adipose on the torso. Then front and back TLD responses were calculated for external beam photon energies of 40 keV to 10 MeV in different irradiation geometries. The results revealed that E value declines with increasing the weight percentile. In this study, three TDA were investigated consisting of Eest = 0.73 Rf + 0.53 Rb (73/53), Eest = 0.55 Rf + 0.50 Rb (55/50), and Eest = 0.70 Rf + 0.30 Rb (70/30). The ratio of Eest/E was calculated for each TDA in different energy bins and weight percentiles. Results obtained using the 55/50 and 70/30 showed higher underestimation for most of the energy bins, especially for PA and AP geometries. Compared to these two TDA, the 73/53 algorithm resulted in higher overestimation for RLAT and LLAT geometries for the same energy bins. Variation of the algorithms showed a similar trend for the studied weight percentiles. To conclude, results obtained by TDA for the 50% weight percentile are applicable for weight percentiles >50%.

Effects of computational phantoms on the effective dose and two-dosimeter algorithm for external photon beams

In this study, the effect of computational phantoms on the effective dose (E), dosimeter responses positioned on the front (chest) and back of phantom, and two-dosimeter algorithm was investigated for external photon beams. This study was performed using Korean Typical MAN-2 (KTMAN-2), Chinese Reference Adult Male (CRAM), ICRP male reference, and Male Adult meSH (MASH) reference phantoms. Calculations were performed for beam directions in different polar and azimuthal angles using the Monte Carlo code of MCNP at energies of 0.08, 0.3, and 1MeV. Results show that the body shape significantly affects E and two-dosimeter responses when the dosimeters are indirectly irradiated. The acquired two-dosimeter algorithms are almost the same for all the mentioned phantoms except for KTMAN-2. Comparisons between the obtained E and estimated E (Eest), acquired from two-dosimeter algorithm, illustrate that the Eest is overestimated in overhead (OH) and underfoot (UF) directions. The effect of using one algorithm for all phantoms was also investigated. Results show that application of one algorithm to all reference phantoms is possible.