Accidental gamma dose measurement using commercial glasses

Abstract

Commercial glasses have been investigated for their application in accidental gamma dose measurement using Thermoluminescent (TL) techniques. Some of the glasses have been found to be sensitive enough that they can be used as TL dating material in radiological accident situation for gamma dosimetry with lower detection limit 1 Gy (the dose significant for the onset of deterministic biological effects). The glasses behave linearly in the dose range 1-25 Gy with measurement uncertainty +/- 10%. The errors in accidental dose measurements using TL technique are estimated to be within +/- 25%. These glasses have shown TL fading in the range of 10-20% in 24 h after irradiation under room conditions; thereafter the fading becomes slower and reaches upto 50% in 15 d. TL fading of gamma-irradiated glasses follows exponential decay pattern, therefore dosimetry even after years is possible. These types of glasses can also be used as lethal dose indicator (3-4 Gy) using TL techniques, which can give valuable inputs to the medical professional for better management of radiation victims. The glasses are easy to use and do not require lengthy sample preparation before reading as in case of other building materials. TL measurement on glasses may give immediate estimation of the doses, which can help in medical triage of the radiation-exposed public.

ESR response of watch glasses to proton beams

“…Many studies have been led by means of several techniques in order to investigate the possibility of using different types of glasses as dosimetric materials [1][2][3][4][5]. In particular, thermoluminescence (TL) studies on commercial glass samples have revealed their potential use as TL dosimeters for accidental gamma dose [6,7]. Moreover, TL investigations on watch glasses [7,8] have shown some of their dosimetric properties for gamma radiation beams.…”

Retrospective and emergency dosimetry in response to radiological incidents and nuclear mass-casualty events: A review

“…Glasses: Following studies of EPR from smartphone and watch glass, several research groups have examined the TL signals from these same materials, building on earlier work demonstrating that glass in general can be used as an accident dosimeter using TL (e.g., Narayan et al, 2008). Thus, Bassinet et al (2010a) compared the TL and EPR signals from both watch glass and glass from various touch-screen phones.…”

Thermoluminescence response of sodalime glass irradiated with photon and electron beams in the 1–20 Gy range

“…The radiation induced effects in the irradiated glass can be indeed employed for dose evaluation, by means of two physical techniques, i.e. thermoluminescence (TL) (Teixeira et al, 2008;Narayan et al, 2008) and electron spin resonance (ESR) (Gancheva et al, 2006;Teixeira et al, 2005).…”