University Facilities
Environment, Health & Safety Services
RADIATION SAFETY
Getting Started
Application to Use Radioactive Material
Initial Training
How To...
Choose a Survey Meter
Order Radioactive Material
Dispose of Waste
Use Dosimetry
Survey a Lab
Safely Handle Radioactive Material
Personnel dosimetry (whole body badges and ring badges) are issued by Radiation Safety to individuals based on the type and amount of radioactive materials being used, as indicated on the Investigator's application for authorization. Please note that personnel dosimeters cannot detect of low energy beta particles, such as those emitted from Hydrogen-3, Carbon-14 and Sulfur-35. Personnel using only such isotopes do not need dosimeters.
General Rules for Personnel Dosimeter Use
- Wear
your body dosimeter (badge) between the waist and neck level.
If, however, one area of the body is more
likely to be exposed than
the rest, the dosimeter should be worn in that area. For example,
when using P-32, the badge should be worn on or near the collar
to measure
potential eye dose.
- Wear your ring badge (if issued) on the inside of your protective gloves, with the label turned to the inside of your hand. Double glove your badged hand to prevent ripping of plastic glove from the ring badge.
- Clip the dosimeter to your clothing so that the front of the badge stays upright and away from your body. Never allow clothing such as lapels, neck ties, buttons, or other items to shield the front of the dosimeter.
- A badge must be worn ONLY BY THE PERSON TO WHOM IT IS ISSUED.
- Badges are changed on a monthly basis. Always wear the most current one.
- Badges should be protected against damage by heat, moisture, or pressure.
- Badges must not be worn during non-occupational exposure, such as during treatments with medical and dental X-rays.
- When not in use, badges should be stored on the rack provided by Radiation Safety.
- Radiation Safety should be notified whenever an individual's personnel dosimeter is no longer needed.
- Review the Radiation Exposure Report (provided to you at the time badges are changed) to monitor any exposure you may have received.
External Radiation Exposure Limits
| Occupational Workers (age 18 year or over) | Radiation Exposure Limit |
| Embryo/Fetus of a Declared Pregnant Worker | 500 millirem for entire pregnancy |
| Whole Body (head and trunk, male gonads, arms above the elbow, legs above the knee) | 5,000 millirem/year |
| Lens of the Eye | 15,000 millirem/year |
| Skin of the Whole Body | 50,000 millirem/year |
| Extremities | 50,000 millirem/year |
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