11/17/2014

Radiation Detection Devices - Radiation Emergency Medical Management

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Radiation Detection Devices

Introduction
Selected Examples
Geiger Mueller (GM) Detectors with Pancake Probes
Alpha Radiation Survey Meter
Dose Rate Meter
Newer Radiation Detection Devices
Personal Dosimeters
Multimedia
Selected References

Top 10 Items for Radiation

Emergencies
What's New on REMM? (4/2014)
Multimedia Library

Tools
Download REMM (4/2014)
Download Mobile REMM
(4/2014)
Dictionary
Emergency Contacts
Dose Estimator for Exposure
Scarce Resources Triage Tool
Manage ARS Subsyndromes
Print Algorithms & Tables

Diagnosis & Treatment

Introduction
What are radiation detection devices?
Instruments that can identify the presence of radiation
In the environment
On the surface of people (external contamination)
Inside people (internal contamination)
Received by people as exposure
There are many types of radiation detection devices.
No single device can detect all kinds of radiation.
No one device is useful in all situations.
What can specific radiation detection devices detect and measure?
Specific types of radiation, (e.g., alpha, beta, gamma, neutron).
Specific levels (or ranges) of radiation energy (in kV, MV).
"Counts" per unit time (minute or second)
Roentgens (R) per unit time (e.g., milliRoentgen per hour [mR/hr])
Accumulated dose (in units of gray or rad)
Current dose rate (in units of gray or rad per unit time)
Do all radiation detection devices provide radiation information in real time?
Radiation survey meters (e.g., Geiger Muller and similar devices) detect radiation in real
time
Personal dosimeters
Film badges do not provide information in real time, but they can detect prior
radiation exposure if the device was worn at the time of exposure.
Self reading personal dosimeters can provide real time information about exposure
Who administers a radiation safety program including the use of personal dosimeters?
The radiation safety officer (RSO) will
Specify the types of survey meters and personal dosimeters required for given
tasks
Supervise storage, maintenance and calibration of survey meters
Specify training and proper use of survey meters and personal dosimeters
Supervise proper issuance and collection of all equipment
Supervise reporting of dose registered on personal dosimeters
See Selected References section below.

Selected Examples
Geiger Mueller (GM) Detectors with Pancake Probes
http://www.remm.nlm.gov/civilian.htm

Patient Management Algorithms

Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS)
Hematopoietic Subsyndrome
Cutaneous Radiation Syndrome
Time/Dose Effects in ARS
Time Phases of ARS
Isotopes of Interest
Countermeasures: Internal
Contamination
Countermeasures: Exposure
Decontamination Procedures
Strategic National Stockpile

Improvised Nuclear Device Response

and Recovery: Communicating in the
Immediate Aftermath, 6/2013 (US
Gov Interagency Group)
Communicating During and After a
Nuclear Power Plant Incident, 6/2013
(US Gov Interagency Group)
Population Monitoring and
Radionuclide Decorporation Following
a Radiological or Nuclear Incident
(NCRP Report No. 166, 2011)
Responding to a Radiological or
Nuclear Terrorism Incident: A Guide
for Decision Makers (NCRP Report
No. 165, 2010)
Management of Persons
Contaminated With Radionuclides:
Handbook (NCRP Report No. 161,
Vol. I, 2008)
Planning Guidance for Response to a
Nuclear Detonation, 2nd Ed, 6/2010
(National Security Staff)

AFRRI
AHRQ
CDC
CRCPD
DHS
DOE
EPA
FDA
HHS
HPS
IAEA

ICRP
NACCHO
NARR
NCRP
NRC
OSHA
REAC/TS
RERF
RITN
UNSCEAR
WHO

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Source: Steve Sugarman, REAC/TS

Source: Steve Sugarman, REAC/TS

What is a Geiger counter? (The Vega Science Trust Videos)

Detects and measures radiation in the environment in real time
How to survey for external contamination
How to Use Hand-held Radiation Survey Equipment (Part 1) (YouTube - 19:02 minutes)
(HHS/CDC)
G-M Detectors Job Aid - Use a Geiger-Muller survey meter to check for contamination. One
page pamphlet. (PDF - 429 KB) (HHS/CDC)
What is a "count" of radiation?

Source: Steve Sugarman, REAC/TS

Radiation energy detected by some devices is registered as a "count."

Devices detect only a percent of the total energy (radioactive decays or disintegrations)
released by radioactive material.
Efficiency: the percentage of the total radiation energy released that is detected by
a device
Appropriate "efficiency" conversion factors can be used to
Determine the actual number of disintegrations per second or minute (DPS or DPM)
Actual disintegrations per unit of time are measured in units of curies or becquerels
Example
[CPM] divided by [efficiency] equals DPM
Example: 100 CPM at 20% efficiency = 100/0.2 = 500 DPM
See Selected References section below.

Alpha Radiation Survey Meter

Source: REAC/TS

Radiation survey meter with probe appropriate for detecting alpha radiation.
Alpha Scintillation Detectors (Part 3) (YouTube - 3:54 minutes) (HHS/CDC)

Dose Rate Meter

http://www.remm.nlm.gov/civilian.htm

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Source: Steve Sugarman, REAC/TS

This survey meter measures environmental levels of penetrating, ionizing radiation

May be used to determine whether it is safe to enter an area and, if so, for how long
Provide readings in units of roentgens per unit time (e.g., mR/hr)

Newer Radiation Detection Devices

Many are suitable for emergency responders
Multiple functions can be provided by one device
Identify isotopes
Measure dose
Measure dose rate
Alarm for pre-set conditions
Monitor several types of contamination: alpha, beta, gamma
Examples
Handheld gamma-ray spectrometer (Kromek)
Less portable detection devices (Laurus Systems)

Personal Dosimeters
What is a personal dosimeter?
A small radiation monitoring device worn by persons entering environments that may
contain radiation
See historical collection of personal dosimeters (ORISE)
Who should wear a personal dosimeter?
Healthcare or laboratory workers in non-emergency environments that may contain
radiation
Examples: radiology, nuclear medicine, and radiation
oncology department staff
Workers in emergency environments that may contain radiation
Examples: first responders and first receivers
Workers in industrial environments where radiation is used
Examples: nuclear power plant workers or employees at
radiation sterilizing facilities
Where are personal dosimeters usually worn?
Flat badges are usually worn on the torso, at the collar or chest
level, but can be worn on the belt, or forearm
Ring shaped badges can be worn on the finger when dose to the
finger may exceed dose to the badge worn elsewhere on the
body
First responders and first receivers
Wear water-resistant personal dosimeters on the outer
layer of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Should be able to easily see and hear a dosimeter alarm while wearing PPE
May wear a personal dosimeter underneath waterproof outerwear

http://www.remm.nlm.gov/civilian.htm

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Finger ring film badge

Source: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute,
Radiation Safety Office

Finger ring film badge

Source: Harvard University,
Campus Services

Finger ring film badge

Source: OSHA Hospital eTool Radiology Module

CAVEATS:
Radiation exposure in the environment may not be uniform.
Dose registered by a badge worn on the torso may not be the same as dose
received elsewhere on the body.
When working close to radiation sources (e.g., removing radioactive shrapnel), the
hands/fingers may receive a higher dose than the torso, and should be monitored
by a personal dosimeter on the finger.
Real time readings from personal dosimeters are not available from all devices.
Emergency responders may require self-reading devices that provide dose information in
real time.
Types of personal dosimeters
Non-self reading dosimeters: real time dose information not available
Film badges
Contain filters and film which identify and quantify the type of radiation
(e.g., x-rays, gamma, beta, neutron)
Least accurate personal dosimeter for recording very low exposure (e.g.,
below about 10 mR)
Sensitive to temperature and humidity, which may limit use by emergency
responders
Available for use on torso and finger
See historical collection of personal dosimeters (ORISE)
Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs)
More sensitive than film badges
Some can measure readings lower than film badges
Use lithium fluoride crystals to record radiation exposure
Not sensitive to heat and humidity
Available for use on torso and finger

Thermoluminescent dosimeters
Source: Hong Kong Observatory

Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeter

More recent device of choice for occupational exposure monitoring

http://www.remm.nlm.gov/civilian.htm

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More sensitive than film badge or TLD
Use aluminum oxide to record radiation
Results can be read up to a year following exposure
Available for use on torso and finger

Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeter

Source: Harvard University, Environmental Health and Safety

Self-reading dosimeters (aka. direct-reading dosimeters, self-reading pocket

dosimeters, pocket electroscopes): provide real time dose information
Older type
Often used in hospital settings
Dose is determined by looking through the eyepiece on one end of the
dosimeter, pointing the other end towards a light source, and noting the
position of the fiber on a scale
See historical collection of personal dosimeters (ORISE)

Self-reading dosimeters (top row: older types; bottom row: newer type)
Source: Steve Sugarman, REAC/TS

Newer type
Electronic
Can measure and display dose rate and total dose
Some can alert wearer that pre-set dose rate and/or total dose limits have
been exceeded by both visual and vibrating alarms
Dose rate and total dose readings can be downloaded in real time to a
computer
Some are designed for use in extreme environments by emergency
responders wearing bunker gear or higher level PPE (See examples below)

DOSE-GARD Micro-Electronic
Personal Dosimeter
Source: Responder Knowledge Base (RKB), DHS/FEMA

http://www.remm.nlm.gov/civilian.htm

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Ultra Radiac-Plus Personal Radiation Monitor

Source: Canberra

top of page

Multimedia
Basic radiation principles (HHS/CDC)
Radiation Principles (YouTube - 1:52 minutes) (HHS/CDC)
Types of Radiation (YouTube - 1:44 minutes) (HHS/CDC)
Screening people for external contamination, use of radation survey equipment (HHS/CDC)
How to Use Hand-held Radiation Survey Equipment (Part 1) (YouTube - 19:02 minutes)
(HHS/CDC)
Ionization Chambers (Part 2) (YouTube - 2:50 minutes) (HHS/CDC)
Alpha Scintillation Detectors (Part 3) (YouTube - 3:54 minutes) (HHS/CDC)
top of page

Selected References
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2.
3.
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9.

10.
11.
12.

What is a Geiger counter? (The Vega Science Trust Videos)

How to Perform a Survey for Radiation Contamination
How to Detect Radiation: instruments and survey technique (REAC/TS)
Video: Screening People for External Contamination: How to Use Hand-held Radiation Survey
Equipment (HHS/CDC)
Use of portable survey meters for initial screening and triage of internally contaminated people
(HHS/CDC)
G-M Detectors Job Aid - Use a Geiger-Muller survey meter to check for contamination. One
page pamphlet. (PDF - 429 KB) (HHS/CDC)
Use of Radiation Detection, Measuring, and Imaging Instruments to Assess Internal
Contamination from Inhaled Radionuclides (HHS/CDC)
Management of Persons Contaminated with Radionuclides: Handbook (NCRP Report 161,
Volume I), National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, Bethesda, MD, 2008,
Chapter 5: Performing Surveys and Controlling Personnel and Area Contamination.
Handbook for Responding to a Radiological Dispersal Device, First Responder's Guide - the First
12 Hours (PDF - 4.26 MB) (Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, Inc., September
2006)
Population Monitoring in Radiation Emergencies: A Guide for State and Local Public Health
Planners (PDF - 3.66 MB) (HHS/CDC, August 2007)
How can you detect radiation? (Health Physics Society)
Use of Radiation Detection, Measuring, and Imaging Instruments to Assess Internal
contamination from Intakes of Radionuclides (HHS/CDC)

Disclaimer:
Photos of examples of any radiation detection devices shown on any REMM pages are intended to be
illustrative examples only. The picture does NOT constitute an official HHS endorsement or
preference for that particular supplier's version of that item.
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