A technical basis for the continued use of exposure as an acceptable operational quantity in radiation protection.
Within the tabulated values of the new [to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)] radiation weighting factors, it can be seen that a doubling of the neutron factor occurs for the 0.1 to 2 MeV neutron energy range. Hence, with the effective replacement of the quality factor by these new radiation weighting factors (for the protection quantities), it has been widely understood that the new changes will most definitely impact neutron dosimetry. However, it is less well understood that the new changes could also affect photon (and beta) dosimetry, i.e., photon reference fields, instrument design, and instrument calibrations. This paper discusses the ramifications, and ultimately concludes that the use of exposure for workplace measurements complies with both current and amended DOE requirements.
Olsher
Richard H
RH
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.
McLean
Thomas D
TD
Justus
Alan L
AL
D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014481:United States