Answer to Question #586 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Q

Do any of the dosimeter badges become radioactive? Are there any special precautions when handling them to protect an individual from contamination?

A

It is not normal for dosimeters to become radioactive because most dosimeters only measure beta or gamma radiation, which cannot cause this. Exposure to high levels of neutron radiation may make things radioactive, but this usually takes a very high level and, at that point, the person wearing the badge will probably have more pressing concerns. The scenario you suggest, that a badge might become contaminated, is possible, but these badges are not radioactive. A contaminated object can, in theory, be decontaminated but a radioactive item can only decay away. (I know—it's a fine point.) If a badge becomes contaminated, it might read higher than expected. It's not normal for a badge to become contaminated, although it's more likely with ring badges because the hands are most commonly contaminated. We recommend our ring badge wearers put gloves on over their badge when working with radioactive materials, which seems effective. Whole-body badges are less likely to be contaminated but, if it's a concern, you might suggest wearing the badge beneath your lab coat, clipping it to the collar or coat pocket, or covering it with thin plastic (like a baggie). And, if you protect the badge from becoming contaminated, the people handling it will be protected, too. Andrew Karam, CHP University of Rochester First I want to thank you for such a prompt response to my question regarding dosimeter badges being radioactive. My situation was that I picked up the radiologist's badge when it was dropped and I was looking at it until she could take it back. Does this mean that if her badge was contaminated I would get this on me? Is there anything I should do? This was a Luxor TLD badge. I would appreciate any further advice you would have. Todd Boudreau Thanks for clarifying your question for me; it makes it easier to give a good answer. I'm assuming that, by radiologist, you mean a medical person working with x-ray equipment. If that's the case then you have no need to worry at all about contamination. X rays are simply beams of high-energy photons and, like gamma radiation, they will not cause things to become radioactive. In addition, there is absolutely no radioactive contamination or residual radiation in any object that is bombarded by x rays. It's like a light—when you turn the power off, the beam stops and the radiation exposure stops, too. In fact, the only time you'd have to worry about possible contamination would be if you were in an area where radioactive materials are used. In a hospital, this would be the nuclear pharmacy or, possibly, nuclear medicine areas. However, even here the chances for contamination are low because these areas are surveyed frequently. Also, the amounts of contamination that you could be exposed to from a source like this, while measurable on a geiger counter, still will not cause you any harm—they're just too minor to be a problem. So, the bottom line is that the type of radiation the badge was exposed to can't cause it to become radioactive and there is no contamination associated with this kind of radiation, so you have no need to be concerned. Andrew Karam, CHP University of Rochester