Radiation Safety Practice Exam

Which is the recommended type of dosimeter for monitoring exposure?

1. Type AA OSLD

2. Film badge dosimeter

3. Thermoluminescent dosimeter

4. Type B gas detector

The correct answer is: Type AA OSLD

The recommended type of dosimeter for monitoring exposure is an optically stimulated luminescent dosimeter (OSLD), specifically labeled as Type AA in this context. OSLDs are advantageous because they provide accurate dose measurements, are sensitive to a wide range of radiation types, and have a relatively low detection threshold. OSLDs work by using materials that store energy from ionizing radiation and, when stimulated with a specific light wavelength, they emit this stored energy as light. This light is then quantified to determine the radiation dose received. The benefits of OSLDs include their ability to be reused after initial exposure since they can be re-read, their durability, and their resistance to environmental factors such as heat and humidity, which can affect other dosimeters. In contrast, while film badge dosimeters are also used for monitoring radiation, they require processing and may not provide as fine a resolution in dose measurement. Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) also measure radiation and are reusable, but they can have limitations regarding energy discrimination compared to OSLDs. Type B gas detectors serve a different function, primarily detecting specific gases rather than measuring personal radiation dose, making them unsuited for this purpose. Overall, OSLDs represent a modern