Radiation Dosimetry

Radiation Safety issues dosimetry to new research staff upon request by the Principal Investigator. The researcher must complete a Dosimeter Badge Request and/or Deletion Form and email it to the Radiation Safety Officer or bring it to the Environmental Health and Safety office located in Forchheimer 800 (see below to obtain a copy of the form). The dosimeter should be worn while the researcher is in a laboratory which uses radioactive material or utilizes radiation emitting equipment. The researchers are issued a quarterly dosimeter which is good for three (3) months and should be worn on the body between the neck and the chest. At the end of the three (3) months the dosimeter should be returned to the Environmental Health and Safety office upon receiving the new dosimeters. It is extremely important that the dosimeters are returned promptly to the Environmental Health & Safety office after receiving the new dosimeters to ensure that they are delivered to the vendor in a timely manner for reading and to avoid late fees. Results of the dosimeter are on file in the Environmental Health and Safety office. You can obtain a copy of the results by emailing the RSO or by visiting the Environmental Health and Safety office.    

If you were issued a dosimeter through a previous employer, Radiation Safety will need to obtain your radiation exposure history from that institution. You will need to complete and sign the Exposure Information Request Form which will be sent to the previous employer to request that your exposure records be forwarded to Environmental Health and Safety office.

The most frequent exposure to a researcher is to their hands from P-32 or x-ray equipment. Therefore, an individual working with these radiation sources may need to wear a ring dosimeter on their hand. If the researcher is working with P-32 in amounts greater than 500 uCi, they are required to wear a ring dosimeter. Other radionuclides may require ring dosimetry as well depending on the activity. The ring dosimeter should be worn on the hand potentially receiving the greatest exposure, closest to the source material. The researcher may request a ring dosimeter in the same manner they request a dosimeter badge (see above).

Please note that there are special protocols for declared pregnant researchers. There is more information on this under the Prenatal Radiation Monitoring section.