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Eliasson L, Lillhök J, Bäck T, Billnert-Maróti R, Dasu A, Liszka M. Range-shifter effects on the stray field in proton therapy measured with the variance-covariance method. Front Oncol 2022; 12:882230. [PMID: 35982965 PMCID: PMC9380888 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.882230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Measurements in the stray radiation field from a proton therapy pencil beam at energies 70 and 146 MeV were performed using microdosimetric tissue-equivalent proportional counters (TEPCs). The detector volumes were filled with a propane-based tissue-equivalent gas at low pressure simulating a mean chord length of 2 μm in tissue. Investigations were performed with and without a beam range shifter, and with different air gaps between the range shifter and a solid water phantom. The absorbed dose, the dose-mean lineal energy, and the dose equivalent were determined for different detector positions using the variance-covariance method. The influence from beam energy, detector- and range-shifter positions on absorbed dose, LET, and dose equivalent were investigated. Monte Carlo simulations of the fluence, detector response, and absorbed dose contribution from different particles were performed with MCNP 6.2. The simulated dose response for protons, neutrons, and photons were compared with, and showed good agreement with, previously published experimental data. The simulations also showed that the TEPC absorbed dose agrees well with the ambient absorbed dose for neutron energies above 20 MeV. The results illustrate that changes in both dose and LET variations in the stray radiation field can be identified from TEPC measurements using the variance-covariance method. The results are in line with the changes seen in the simulated relative dose contributions from different particles associated with different proton energies and range-shifter settings. It is shown that the proton contribution scattered directly from the range shifter dominates in some situations, and although the LET of the radiation is decreased, the ambient dose equivalent is increased up to a factor of 3.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jan Lillhök
- The Swedish Radiation Safety Authority, Solna, Sweden
| | | | | | - Alexandru Dasu
- Medical Radiation Sciences, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Harrison RM, Ainsbury E, Alves J, Bottollier-Depois JF, Breustedt B, Caresana M, Clairand I, Fantuzzi E, Fattibene P, Gilvin P, Hupe O, Knežević Ž, Lopez MA, Olko P, Olšovcová V, Rabus H, Rühm W, Silari M, Stolarczyk L, Tanner R, Vanhavere F, Vargas A, Woda C. EURADOS STRATEGIC RESEARCH AGENDA 2020: VISION FOR THE DOSIMETRY OF IONISING RADIATION. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2021; 194:42-56. [PMID: 33989429 PMCID: PMC8165425 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncab063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Since 2012, the European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS) has developed its Strategic Research Agenda (SRA), which contributes to the identification of future research needs in radiation dosimetry in Europe. Continued scientific developments in this field necessitate regular updates and, consequently, this paper summarises the latest revision of the SRA, with input regarding the state of the art and vision for the future contributed by EURADOS Working Groups and through a stakeholder workshop. Five visions define key issues in dosimetry research that are considered important over at least the next decade. They include scientific objectives and developments in (i) updated fundamental dose concepts and quantities, (ii) improved radiation risk estimates deduced from epidemiological cohorts, (iii) efficient dose assessment for radiological emergencies, (iv) integrated personalised dosimetry in medical applications and (v) improved radiation protection of workers and the public. This SRA will be used as a guideline for future activities of EURADOS Working Groups but can also be used as guidance for research in radiation dosimetry by the wider community. It will also be used as input for a general European research roadmap for radiation protection, following similar previous contributions to the European Joint Programme for the Integration of Radiation Protection Research, under the Horizon 2020 programme (CONCERT). The full version of the SRA is available as a EURADOS report (www.eurados.org).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - E Ainsbury
- Public Health England, Chilton, Didcot, UK
| | - J Alves
- Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), CTN, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - J-F Bottollier-Depois
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Fontenay-aux-Roses Cedex, France
| | - B Breustedt
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | | | - I Clairand
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), Fontenay-aux-Roses Cedex, France
| | - E Fantuzzi
- ENEA - Radiation Protection Institute, Bologna, Italy
| | - P Fattibene
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Rome, Italy
| | - P Gilvin
- Public Health England, Chilton, Didcot, UK
| | - O Hupe
- Physikalisch Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig and Berlin, Germany
| | - Ž Knežević
- Ruđer Bošković Institute (RBI), Zagreb, Croatia
| | - M A Lopez
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
| | - P Olko
- Instytut Fizyki Jądrowej Polskiej Akademii Nauk (IFJ PAN), Kraków, Poland
| | - V Olšovcová
- ELI Beamlines, Institute of Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Dolní Břežany, Czech Republic
| | - H Rabus
- Physikalisch Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig and Berlin, Germany
| | - W Rühm
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - M Silari
- CERN, 1211 Geneva 23, Switzerland
| | - L Stolarczyk
- Danish Centre for Particle Therapy, Aarhus, Denmark
- Instytut Fizyki Jądrowej Polskiej Akademii Nauk (IFJ PAN), Kraków, Poland
| | - R Tanner
- Public Health England, Chilton, Didcot, UK
| | - F Vanhavere
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK-CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - A Vargas
- Institute of Energy Technologies, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Woda
- Helmholtz Zentrum München, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Neuherberg, Germany
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Ambrožová I, Beck P, Benton ER, Billnert R, Bottollier-Depois JF, Caresana M, Dinar N, Domański S, Gryziński MA, Kákona M, Kolros A, Krist P, Kuć M, Kyselová D, Latocha M, Leuschner A, Lillhök J, Maciak M, Mareš V, Murawski Ł, Pozzi F, Reitz G, Schennetten K, Silari M, Šlegl J, Sommer M, Štěpán V, Trompier F, Tscherne C, Uchihori Y, Vargas A, Viererbl L, Wielunski M, Wising M, Zorloni G, Ploc O. REFLECT – Research flight of EURADOS and CRREAT: Intercomparison of various radiation dosimeters onboard aircraft. RADIAT MEAS 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2020.106433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Prado ACM, Pazianotto MT, Gonçalez OL, Dos Santos LR, Caldeira AD, Pereira HHC, Hubert G, Federico CA. INVESTIGATION OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE POSITION INSIDE A SMALL AIRCRAFT ON THE COSMIC-RADIATION-INDUCED DOSE. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2017; 176:217-225. [PMID: 28115660 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncw384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This article report the measurements on-board a small aircraft at the same altitude and around the same geographic coordinates. The measurements of Ambient Dose Equivalent Rate (H*(10)) were performed in several positions inside the aircraft, close and far from the pilot location and the discrimination between neutron and non-neutron components. The results show that the neutrons are attenuated close to fuel depots and the non-neutron component appears to have the opposite behavior inside the aircraft. These experimental results are also confronted with results from Monte Carlo simulation, obtained with the MCNPX code, using a simplified model of the Learjet-type aircraft and a modeling of the standard atmosphere, which reproduces the real energy and angular distribution of the particles. The Monte Carlo simulation agreed with the experimental measurements and shows that the total H*(10) presents small variation (around 1%) between the positions inside aircraft, although the neutron spectra present significant variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C M Prado
- Institute for Advanced Studies, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil
- Aeronautics Technological Institute, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil
| | - M T Pazianotto
- Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - O L Gonçalez
- Institute for Advanced Studies, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil
- Aeronautics Technological Institute, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil
| | - L R Dos Santos
- Aeronautics Technological Institute, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil
| | - A D Caldeira
- Institute for Advanced Studies, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil
| | - H H C Pereira
- Institute for Advanced Studies, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil
| | - G Hubert
- Office National d'Etudes et de Recherches Aéronautiques, Toulouse, France
| | - C A Federico
- Institute for Advanced Studies, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil
- Aeronautics Technological Institute, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil
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Measurement of stray neutron doses inside the treatment room from a proton pencil beam scanning system. Phys Med 2017; 34:80-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2017.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Revised: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Mertens CJ. Overview of the Radiation Dosimetry Experiment (RaD-X) flight mission. SPACE WEATHER : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH & APPLICATIONS 2016; 14:921-934. [PMID: 33442336 PMCID: PMC7802752 DOI: 10.1002/2016sw001399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The NASA Radiation Dosimetry Experiment (RaD-X) stratospheric balloon flight mission addresses the need to reduce the uncertainty in predicting human exposure to cosmic radiation in the aircraft environment. Measurements were taken that characterize the dosimetric properties of cosmic ray primaries, the ultimate source of aviation radiation exposure, and the cosmic ray secondary radiations that are produced and transported to aviation altitudes. In addition, radiation detectors were flown to assess their potential application to long-term, continuous monitoring of the aircraft radiation environment. RaD-X was successfully launched from Fort Sumner, New Mexico (34.5°N, 104.2°W), on 25 September 2015. Over 18 h of science data were obtained from a total of four different type dosimeters at altitudes above 20 km. The RaD-X flight mission was supported by laboratory radiation exposure testing of the balloon flight dosimeters and also by coordinated radiation measurements taken on ER-2 and commercial aircraft. This paper provides the science background and motivation for the RaD-X flight mission, a brief description of the balloon flight profile and the supporting aircraft flights, and a summary of the articles included in the RaD-X special collection and their contributions to the science goals of the RaD-X mission.
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Kubančák J, Ambrožová I, Brabcová KP, Jakůbek J, Kyselová D, Ploc O, Bemš J, Štěpán V, Uchihori Y. Comparison of cosmic rays radiation detectors on-board commercial jet aircraft. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2015; 164:484-488. [PMID: 25979739 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncv331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Aircrew members and passengers are exposed to increased rates of cosmic radiation on-board commercial jet aircraft. The annual effective doses of crew members often exceed limits for public, thus it is recommended to monitor them. In general, the doses are estimated via various computer codes and in some countries also verified by measurements. This paper describes a comparison of three cosmic rays detectors, namely of the (a) HAWK Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter; (b) Liulin semiconductor energy deposit spectrometer and (c) TIMEPIX silicon semiconductor pixel detector, exposed to radiation fields on-board commercial Czech Airlines company jet aircraft. Measurements were performed during passenger flights from Prague to Madrid, Oslo, Tbilisi, Yekaterinburg and Almaty, and back in July and August 2011. For all flights, energy deposit spectra and absorbed doses are presented. Measured absorbed dose and dose equivalent are compared with the EPCARD code calculations. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of all detectors are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ján Kubančák
- Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute of the ASCR, Na Truhlářce 39/64, Prague 180 00, Czech Republic Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Department of Dosimetry and Application of Ionizing Radiation, Czech Technical University in Prague, Břehová 7, Prague 115 19, Czech Republic
| | - Iva Ambrožová
- Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute of the ASCR, Na Truhlářce 39/64, Prague 180 00, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Pachnerová Brabcová
- Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute of the ASCR, Na Truhlářce 39/64, Prague 180 00, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Jakůbek
- Institute of Experimental and Applied Physics, Czech Technical University in Prague, Horská 3a/22, Prague 128 00, Czech Republic
| | - Dagmar Kyselová
- Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Department of Dosimetry and Application of Ionizing Radiation, Czech Technical University in Prague, Břehová 7, Prague 115 19, Czech Republic
| | - Ondřej Ploc
- Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute of the ASCR, Na Truhlářce 39/64, Prague 180 00, Czech Republic
| | - Július Bemš
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Technická 2, Prague 160 00, Czech Republic
| | - Václav Štěpán
- Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute of the ASCR, Na Truhlářce 39/64, Prague 180 00, Czech Republic
| | - Yukio Uchihori
- National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Chiba 263-855, Japan
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Farah J, Mares V, Romero-Expósito M, Trinkl S, Domingo C, Dufek V, Klodowska M, Kubancak J, Knežević Ž, Liszka M, Majer M, Miljanić S, Ploc O, Schinner K, Stolarczyk L, Trompier F, Wielunski M, Olko P, Harrison RM. Measurement of stray radiation within a scanning proton therapy facility: EURADOS WG9 intercomparison exercise of active dosimetry systems. Med Phys 2015; 42:2572-84. [DOI: 10.1118/1.4916667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
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Abstract
Crewmembers are exposed to galactic cosmic radiation on every flight and occasionally to solar protons on polar flights. Data are presented showing that the proton occasions are seven times more frequent than generally believed. Crewmembers are also exposed to neutrons and gamma rays from the sun and to gamma rays from terrestrial thunderstorms. Solar neutrons and gamma rays (1) expose the daylight side of Earth, (2) are most intense at lower latitudes, (3) may be as or more frequent than solar protons, and (4) have relativistic energies. The U.S. agency responsible for crewmember safety only considers the galactic component with respect to its recommended 20 mSv y(-1) limit, but it has an estimate for a thunderstorm dose of 30 mSv. In view of overlooked sources, possible over-limit doses, and lack of dosimetry, dose reconstructions are needed. However, using the agency dose estimates and the compensation procedure for U.S. nuclear weapon workers, the probability of crewmember cancers can be at least as likely as not. Ways to improve the quality of dose estimates are suggested, and a worker's compensation program specific to aviation crewmembers is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward T Bramlitt
- *8813 Camino Osito NE, Albuquerque, NM 87111; †119 Ridgemore Circle, Toccoa, GA 30577
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Kubančák J, Ambrožová I, Ploc O, Pachnerová Brabcová K, Štěpán V, Uchihori Y. Measurement of dose equivalent distribution on-board commercial jet aircraft. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2014; 162:215-219. [PMID: 24344348 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/nct331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The annual effective doses of aircrew members often exceed the limit of 1 mSv for the public due to the increased level of cosmic radiation at the flight altitudes, and thus, it is recommended to monitor them [International Commission on Radiation Protection. 1990 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. ICRP Publication 60. Ann. ICRP 21: (1-3), (1991)]. According to the Monte Carlo simulations [Battistoni, G., Ferrari, A., Pelliccioni, M. and Villari, R. Evaluation of the doses to aircrew members taking into consideration the aircraft structures. Adv. Space Res. 36: , 1645-1652 (2005) and Ferrari, A., Pelliccioni, M. and Villari, R. Evaluation of the influence of aircraft shielding on the aircrew exposure through an aircraft mathematical model. Radiat. Prot. Dosim. 108: (2), 91-105 (2004)], the ambient dose equivalent rate Ḣ*(10) depends on the location in the aircraft. The aim of this article is to experimentally evaluate Ḣ*(10) on-board selected types of aircraft. The authors found that Ḣ*(10) values are higher in the front and the back of the cabin and lesser in the middle of the cabin. Moreover, total dosimetry characteristics obtained in this way are in a reasonable agreement with other data, in particular with the above-mentioned simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Kubančák
- Department of Dosimetry and Application of Ionizing Radiation, Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Břehová 7, 115 19 Prague 1, Czech Republic Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute of the ASCR, Na Truhlářce 39/64, 180 00 Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - I Ambrožová
- Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute of the ASCR, Na Truhlářce 39/64, 180 00 Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - O Ploc
- Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute of the ASCR, Na Truhlářce 39/64, 180 00 Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - K Pachnerová Brabcová
- Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute of the ASCR, Na Truhlářce 39/64, 180 00 Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - V Štěpán
- Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute of the ASCR, Na Truhlářce 39/64, 180 00 Prague 8, Czech Republic
| | - Y Uchihori
- National Institute of Radiological Sciences, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
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Caresana M, Helmecke M, Kubancak J, Manessi GP, Ott K, Scherpelz R, Silari M. Instrument intercomparison in the high-energy mixed field at the CERN-EU reference field (CERF) facility. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2014; 161:67-72. [PMID: 24292486 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/nct312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
This paper discusses an intercomparison campaign performed in the mixed radiation field at the CERN-EU (CERF) reference field facility. Various instruments were employed: conventional and extended-range rem counters including a novel instrument called LUPIN, a bubble detector using an active counting system (ABC 1260) and two tissue-equivalent proportional counters (TEPCs). The results show that the extended range instruments agree well within their uncertainties and within 1σ with the H*(10) FLUKA value. The conventional rem counters are in good agreement within their uncertainties and underestimate H*(10) as measured by the extended range instruments and as predicted by FLUKA. The TEPCs slightly overestimate the FLUKA value but they are anyhow consistent with it when taking the comparatively large total uncertainties into account, and indicate that the non-neutron part of the stray field accounts for ∼30 % of the total H*(10).
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Caresana
- Department of Energy, Politecnico of Milan, Via Ponzio 34/3, Milan 20133, Italy
| | | | - Jan Kubancak
- Department of Radiation Dosimetry, Nuclear Physics Institute of the ACSR, Na Truhlářce 39/64, Prague 180 00, Czech Republic Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Břehová 7, Prague 115 19, Czech Republic
| | - Giacomo Paolo Manessi
- CERN, Geneva 23 CH-1211, Switzerland Department of Physics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZE, UK
| | - Klaus Ott
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, BESYY II, Berlin 12849, Germany
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Ploc O, Ambrozova I, Kubancak J, Kovar I, Dachev TP. Publicly available database of measurements with the silicon spectrometer Liulin onboard aircraft. RADIAT MEAS 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2013.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Yasuda H, Lee J, Yajima K, Hwang JA, Sakai K. Measurement of cosmic-ray neutron dose onboard a polar route flight from New York to Seoul. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2011; 146:213-216. [PMID: 21561941 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncr152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to cosmic radiation in operation of a jet aircraft is considered to be a part of the occupational exposure. Cosmic radiation doses received in aviation are generally evaluated by numerical model simulations. The precision of the model calculation should be verified by measurements. From the viewpoint of radiological protection, neutrons are the most contributing radiation component and have to be precisely measured. Neutron measurements were thus performed in a long-haul flight using a relatively new transportable neutron monitor (WENDI-II) which responds fairly well to the cosmic-ray neutrons. The in-flight measurement was carried out on 5-6 November 2009 on a polar route flight from New York/John F. Kennedy airport to Seoul/Incheon airport. The flying time was ~14 h. The observations obtained as 1 cm ambient dose equivalent were compared with model calculations using a computer program developed by the authors for the calculation of aviation route doses 'JISCARD EX'. Good agreements between the measured and calculated values were observed over the polar route where the geomagnetic cut-off rigidity is the lowest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Yasuda
- National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan.
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15
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Lindborg L, Nikjoo H. Microdosimetry and radiation quality determinations in radiation protection and radiation therapy. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2011; 143:402-408. [PMID: 21227959 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncq390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Beams of different radiation qualities may, for equal absorbed dose, lead to important differences in the degree of harm for a specific biological endpoint. In many practical situations absorbed dose is then not a sufficient measure when for instance the same treatment result or risk level is the focus of attention. In radiation protection, the absorbed dose may be different by a factor of 20 between the most and least effective radiation qualities. In radiation therapy the corresponding factor is approximately 3. Two physical quantities related to the charged particle track structure, LET, and lineal energy, y, are used to characterise radiation quality. Their values are dependent on whether focus is on targets in the micrometer range (chromosomes, cell nucleus, etc.) or in the nanometre range (DNA structures). The two quantities, LET, and y, have important differences, which emphasise different characteristics of a track. Applications will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Lindborg
- Radiation Biophysics Group, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Box 260, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Wissmann F, Burmeister S, Dönsdorf E, Heber B, Hubiak M, Klages T, Langner F, Möller T, Meier M. Field calibration of dosemeters used for routine measurements at flight altitudes. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2010; 140:319-325. [PMID: 20484163 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncq128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Intercomparisons of dosemeters used in radiation protection are performed routinely in reference radiation fields under well-defined conditions. In the case of the radiation protection of aircrew members, such reference fields either do not exist or they can be partially simulated by accelerator-based fields. Another method is to perform simultaneous measurements on board an aircraft under constant flight conditions, i.e. at defined latitude, longitude and altitude. The intercomparison presented in this work is the second one of its kind. As reference instruments, two types of tissue-equivalent proportional counters (TEPC) were used in comparison with different silicon detector systems. The excellent agreement of the FDOScalc code, which is based on measurements made by PTB during different phases of solar cycle 23 with the TEPC measurements and the results of the preceding project "Coordinated Access to Aircraft for Transnational Environmental Research" (CAATER) even allows the in-field calibration of the Si dosemeters.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Wissmann
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Bundesallee 100, D-38116 Braunschweig, Germany.
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Agosteo S, Silari M, Ulrici L. Instrument response in complex radiation fields. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2009; 137:51-73. [PMID: 19783839 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncp186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
This paper aims at giving an overview of the main issues for estimating the radiation protection quantities in complex radiation fields. The measurability (or non-measurability) of the radiation protection quantities is discussed together with the main approaches for their estimate. The main mechanisms through which the various components of complex radiation fields are generated are also outlined. The main instruments employed for estimating the radiation protection quantities are described and discussed together with their response. Finally, a practical example is given, by discussing the results of an inter-comparison exercise held at the Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung mbH in Darmstadt (Germany) in the framework of the COordinated Network for RAdiation Dosimetry project, funded by the European Commission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Agosteo
- Dipartimento di Energia, Politecnico di Milano, piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy.
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Rollet S, Beck P, Latocha M, Wind M, Zechner A, Taylor GC. TEPC Measurements and Monte Carlo Calculations for Evaluating Ambient Dose Equivalent Response in Mixed Radiation Fields around the Shielded Area of a Carbon Ion Accelerator. NUCL TECHNOL 2009. [DOI: 10.13182/nt09-a9110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Rollet
- Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, A-2444 Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - P. Beck
- Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, A-2444 Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - M. Latocha
- Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, A-2444 Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - M. Wind
- Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, A-2444 Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - A. Zechner
- Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, A-2444 Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - G. C. Taylor
- National Physical Laboratory, Teddington TW11 0LW, United Kingdom
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19
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Beck P. Overview of research on aircraft crew dosimetry during the last solar cycle. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2009; 136:244-250. [PMID: 19706723 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncp158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Cosmic radiation was discovered successfully in the beginning of the twentieth century by the Austrian Nobel Price winner Victor Hess. Radiation effects to humans are of major concern during human space missions and also due to the increasing aviation altitudes and flight time. ICRP recommendations lead to adaptations of the Basic Safety Standards by the European Council. Beginning in the 1990 s up to now, significant improvements and findings in aviation dosimetry and epidemiology were done word-wide. Five research projects on measurements and modelling cosmic radiation exposure were supported by European Research Framework Programmes. In-flight measurements with remarkable agreement (+/-25%) were carried out to validate calculation codes for routine dose assessment within +/-30% for galactic cosmic radiation. Measurements and improvements of modelling radiation exposure due to solar particle events (SPE) is still an objective for future research projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Beck
- Health and Environment Department, Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT), A-2444 Seibersdorf, Austria.
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20
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Felsberger E, O'Brien K, Kindl P. IASON-FREE: theory and experimental comparisons. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2009; 136:267-273. [PMID: 19608576 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncp128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
A sophisticated flight code named FREE (acronym for Flight Route Effective Dose Estimation) was built for professional commercial usage. During its creation special precautions have been taken to take correctly into account all existing dependencies and details, so that the best possible result is achieved. Some of these factors are presented in detail and their effect on doses or dose rates is estimated. Detailed comparisons to more recent measurements for both quiescent as well as disturbed conditions are presented. The agreement at undisturbed conditions turns out to be excellent and also the comparisons to measured transient effects are very satisfactory.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Felsberger
- IASON GmbH, Feldkirchner Strasse 4, A-8054 Graz-Seiersberg, Austria.
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21
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Beck P, Dyer C, Fuller N, Hands A, Latocha M, Rollet S, Spurný F. Overview of on-board measurements during solar storm periods. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2009; 136:297-303. [PMID: 19825832 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncp208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Radiation exposure of aircraft crew caused by cosmic radiation is regulated in Europe by the European Community Council Directive 96/29/EURATOM and implemented into law in almost every country of the European Union. While the galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) leads on average to an exposure of about 3 mSv per year, solar cosmic radiation can lead to 1 mSv per one subsonic flight during solar storm periods. Compared to GCR, solar cosmic radiation shows a much softer proton spectrum but with a larger contribution of several orders of magnitude. This is the reason for the large radiation exposure in high northern and southern geographic latitudes during solar particle events. Here an overview of active radiation in-flight measurements undertaken during solar storms is given. In particular, tissue-equivalent proportional counter on-board measurements are shown and the radiation quality during solar storm periods with that for GCR is compared.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Beck
- Health and Environment Department, Austrian Institute of Technology, A-2444 Seibersdorf, Austria.
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22
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Latocha M, Beck P, Rollet S. AVIDOS--a software package for European accredited aviation dosimetry. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2009; 136:286-290. [PMID: 19605410 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncp126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
AVIDOS is a computer code used for the dose assessment of aircraft crew exposed to cosmic radiation. The code employs a multiparameter model built upon simulations of cosmic radiation exposure done using the FLUKA Monte Carlo code. AVIDOS calculates both ambient dose equivalent H*(10) and effective dose E for flight routes over the whole world at typically used altitudes and for the full range of solar activity. The dose assessment procedure using AVIDOS is accredited by the Austrian office for accreditation according to European regulations and is valid in the whole Europe. AVIDOS took part in an international comparison of different codes assessing radiation exposure of aircraft crew where a fully satisfactory agreement between codes has been found. An online version of AVIDOS with user friendly interface is accessible to public under the internet address: http://avidos.healthphysics.at.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Latocha
- AIT, Austrian Institute of Technology, Department Health and Environment, A-2444 Seibersdorf, Austria.
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23
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Intercomparison of radiation protection devices in a high-energy stray neutron field. Part III: Instrument response. RADIAT MEAS 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2009.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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24
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Beck P, Bartlett DT, Bilski P, Dyer C, Flückiger E, Fuller N, Lantos P, Reitz G, Rühm W, Spurny F, Taylor G, Trompier F, Wissmann F. Validation of modelling the radiation exposure due to solar particle events at aircraft altitudes. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2008; 131:51-58. [PMID: 18838437 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncn238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Dose assessment procedures for cosmic radiation exposure of aircraft crew have been introduced in most European countries in accordance with the corresponding European directive and national regulations. However, the radiation exposure due to solar particle events is still a matter of scientific research. Here we describe the European research project CONRAD, WP6, Subgroup-B, about the current status of available solar storm measurements and existing models for dose estimation at flight altitudes during solar particle events leading to ground level enhancement (GLE). Three models for the numerical dose estimation during GLEs are discussed. Some of the models agree with limited experimental data reasonably well. Analysis of GLEs during geomagnetically disturbed conditions is still complex and time consuming. Currently available solar particle event models can disagree with each other by an order of magnitude. Further research and verification by on-board measurements is still needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Beck
- Austrian Research Centers, ARC, Radiation Safety and Applications Division, A-2444 Seibersdorf, Austria.
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