Classical microdosimetry in radiation protection dosimetry and monitoring

Classical microdosimetry concerns the measurement and analysis of the spectrum of radiation energy deposition events in simulated microscopic tissue-equivalent sites. Over the past three decades, classical microdosimetry has been extensively applied for the direct measurement of dosimetric quantities, such as the ambient dose equivalent, and for the spectroscopic properties of tissue-equivalent proportional counters that have led to methods of mixed-field analysis and particle identification. This paper reviews some of the special applications of classical microdosimetry such as the determination of kerma coefficients, differential dosimetry and aviation dosimetry. Also reviewed are some of the technological innovations related to the application of microdosimetry in operational health physics and in particular the development of multi-element proportional counters and detectors based on gas microstrip technology.     

Calibration measurements and standards for radiation protection dosimetry

The safe use of ionising radiation for applications in medicine, electric power production and industrial processes requires accurate measurements that are traceable to national standards. Radiological calibration laboratories provide measurements that may be used to determine the calibration coefficients for personal dosemeters and survey meters. The wide range of ionising radiation applications results in the need for a wide range of reference radiation types and intensities to be available in the calibration laboratory. The methods used and the problems encountered while developing reference radiations are discussed.     

Experimental tools for track structure investigations: new approaches for dosimetry and microdosimetry

In recent years, several new methods have been developed for track structure investigations. They use macroscopic gas volumes to transfer the results to microscopic dimensions and are based on either the cluster counting principle or on optical methods for full track analysis. The first type of method allows cluster size distributions in nanometre dimensions to be measured. The second type reveals the full topology of the ionisation pattern of tracks or track segments within a volume of a few micrometres with a spatial resolution down to 5 nm. The basic principles of these instruments and their main features are summarised and a selection of results obtained to date are shown.     

Biological and physical dosimetry for radiation protection

In the 5^th Framework Programme (5FP) of the European Commission(EC), the European Late Effects Project Group (EULEP) and theEuropean Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS) were funded toco-ordinate research in radiation protection based on theirwell-established experience. This was termed ‘clustering’and was intended to encompass research funded by National Agenciesand that funded directly by     

Measurement quality assurance for ionising radiation dosimetry

The preface of the new ICRU report 76 on ‘MeasurementQuality Assurance for Ionising Radiation Dosimetry’ almostsounds like ‘we have published 75 reports on radiationmeasurements and now, finally, here is one on the quality ofthese measurements’. Over the past decade, meetings likethe Solid State Dosimetry conferences and the Individual Monitoringworkshops in Villigen (1993), Helsinki (2000) and Vienna (2005),whose proceedings have appeared in this journal, dedicated sessionsto the quality assurance     

Uncertainty in radiation dosimetry: basic concepts and methods

Principally, uncertainty is associated with measured and computed values. The basic concepts of uncertainty are outlined, an overview on methods for its determination is given and the application of uncertainties in quality assurance is discussed. Based on the Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement and a forthcoming supplement to it, the paper identifies modelling of measurement or computation and the use of a probability distribution functions (PDFs) for expressing the degree of belief in possible values as basic concepts. All presently used proper methods for determining uncertainty can be derived from the Markov formula. Optimisation of measurements and computations as well as the acceptance of results by others are identified as the two major tasks of quality assurance based on analysing and stating uncertainty.     

Internal dosimetry for radiation therapy in coronary arteries

Acute myocardial infarction, which occurs because of the occlusion of one or more coronary arteries, is the most common form of cardiovascular disease. Balloon angioplasty is often used to treat coronary artery occlusion and is less invasive than surgery involving revascularisation of the myocardium, thus promising a better quality of life for patients. Unfortunately, the rate of re-stenosis after balloon angioplasty is high (approximately 30-50% within the first year after treatment). Intravascular radiation therapy has been used with several types of radiation source, and researchers have observed some success in decreasing the rate of re-stenosis. In this paper theoretical radiation dose distributions for monoenergetic electrons (with discrete energies) and photons are calculated for blood vessels of diameter 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 mm with balloon and wire sources using the radiation transport code MCNP4B. Stent sources employing 32P are also simulated. Advantages and disadvantages of the radionuclides and source geometries are discussed, as well as issues regarding possible benefits to the patients.     

Thermoluminescence dosimetry for quality assurance in radiation therapy

A methodology based on thermoluminescence dosimetry was developed to check the output of teletherapy units and the given doses. It was applied in a hospital as a part of an extemal quality audit programme. Over a 7 year period the mean ratios of the output doses measured by TLDs calibrated free-in-air to the doses measured at the hospital in a 6 MV X ray and in a 60Co unit were 1.000 +/- 0.024 (n = 86) and 0.997 +/- 0.027 (n=61), respectively. TLDs in capsules were attached to the patient's body or to a phantom to assess entrance, exit and midline doses and transmission. Factors were determined experimentally to relate the doses measured with TLDs in capsules and inside the body. The accuracy in given doses with pelvic and tangential breast fields and assessed via 752 in vivo measurements, was considered to be adequately good, taking into account the limitations of the equipment available in the hospital.     

A co-ordinated network for radiation dosimetry (CONRAD): an overview

The European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS) carried out a co-ordinated action, supported within the 6th Framework Programme of the European Commission entitled 'A Co-ordinated Network for Radiation Dosimetry (CONRAD)'. The project, executed from January 2005 to March 2008, yielded a large number of scientific results in different areas of dosimetry. This paper describes the objectives and general aspects of the project while the results are given in several contributions in this volume. Special consideration is given to the results and implications of the feasibility study for a sustainable network in radiation dosimetry, which was also carried out within the CONRAD project.     

Uncertainties in personal dosimetry for external radiation: a Monte Carlo approach

This paper explores the possibilities of numerical methods for uncertainty analysis of personal dosimetry systems. Using a numerical method based on Monte Carlo sampling the probability density function (PDF) of the dose measured using a personal dosemeter can be calculated using type-test measurements. From this PDF the combined standard uncertainty in the measurements with the dosemeter and the confidence interval can be calculated. The method calculates the output PDF directly from the PDFs of the inputs of the system such as the spectral distribution of the radiation and distributions of detector parameters like sensitivity and zero signal. The method can be used not only in its own right but also for validating other methods because it is not limited by restrictions that apply to using the Law of Propagation of Uncertainty and the Central Limit Theorem. The use of the method is demonstrated using the type-test data of the NRG-TLD.     

Gated fiber-optic-coupled detector for in vivo real-time radiation dosimetry

Gated detection of the output of a fiber-optic-coupled radiation dosimeter effectively eliminated the direct contribution of Cerenkov radiation to the signal. The radiation source was an external beam radiotherapy machine that provided pulses of 6-MeV x rays. Gated detection was used to discriminate the signal collected during the radiation pulses, including Cerenkov interference, from the signal collected between the radiation pulses due only to phosphorescence from the Cu(1+)-doped glass detector. Gated detection of the long-lived phosphorescence of the Cu(1+)-doped glass provided real-time dose measurements that were linear with the absorbed dose and that were accurate for all field sizes studied.     

Occupational radiation protection dosimetry in Nigeria

The general features of occupational radiation protection dosimetry in Nigeria within the period 1990-1999 have been summarised. About 640 personnel, representing about 25% of the estimated number of radiation workers in Nigeria, were monitored by the TL dosimetry technique during the period, with the majority being the personnel of the teaching hospitals across the country. Most private establishments, especially the X ray diagnostic centres, operate without dosimetry coverage or supervision by a regulatory authority. The weighted mean of the annual effective dose ranged between 0 and 28.97 mSv with the upper limit of collective effective dose being 18.47 man.Sv per year. The individual risk estimate due to this is about 1.5 x 10(-3) per year and this was among the medical personnel. The value could be more if all radiation workers in the country were monitored.     

Retrospective biological dosimetry of absorbed radiation

Frequencies of chromosomal translocations in human peripheral blood lymphocytes irradiated in vitro by 200 kV X rays have been estimated by the fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) technique. Probes specific for whole chromosomes 1, 3 and 4 were labelled with, biotin 16 dUTP + digoxigenin 11 dUTP; biotin 16 dUTP and digoxigenin 11 dUTP respectively, to achieve three colour FISH to distinguish exchanges involving individual chromosomes. The translocation frequencies for individual chromosomes suggested a relationship between the response and the genomic content of the chromosomes studied. Dose-response curves derived from translocations involving all the three painted chromosomes (22.3% of the genome) showed a linear-quadratic response with alpha and beta coefficients of 0.027 +/- 0.009 Gy-1 and 0.033 +/- 0.004 Gy-2, corresponding coefficients for the response curves extrapolated to the entire genome are 0.072 +/- 0.026 Gy-1 and 0.075 +/- 0.011 Gy-2 respectively. Dose-response curves for the induction of dicentrics involving painted chromosomes also showed a similar response, but the dicentric frequencies were consistently lower than the translocation frequencies for all the doses studied. Dose fractionation resulted in a small but significant reduction in the yield of exchanges, thus suggesting repair of some radiation damage during the period between the two fractions. Retrospective biological dosimetry was attempted with FISH assay of five radiation workers with chronically accumulated doses of approximately 500 mSv received over a period of 2-3 decades. Among the 2421 metaphases scored in these subjects 28 translocations involving the painted chromosomes were detected. The dose estimates based on FISH assay ranged from 0.215 +/- 0.116 Gy to 0.635 +/- 0.292 mGy, thus suggesting the usefulness of this assay in retrospective biological dosimetry.     

Fourier-transform radiation thermometry: measurements and uncertainties

A Fourier-transform radiometer is used to measure blackbody temperatures in the 5001000-K range. The measurements involve collecting mid-infrared spectra at two known reference temperatures and one unknown temperature. The accuracy of the interpolation measurement technique is discussed, and the effects of the uncertainty in the temperature reference points, the voltage ratio measurement, and the wavelength accuracy are described. Temperature accuracy at the 0.5% level has been achieved; the main uncertainty component is caused by the interferometer drift. Directions to reach 100-mk accuracy levels have been identified.     

NURBS-based 3-D anthropomorphic computational phantoms for radiation dosimetry applications

Computational anthropomorphic phantoms are computer models used in the evaluation of absorbed dose distributions within the human body. Currently, two classes of the computational phantoms have been developed and widely utilised for dosimetry calculation: (1) stylised (equation-based) and (2) voxel (image-based) phantoms describing human anatomy through the use of mathematical surface equations and 3-D voxel matrices, respectively. However, stylised phantoms have limitations in defining realistic organ contours and positioning as compared to voxel phantoms, which are themselves based on medical images of human subjects. In turn, voxel phantoms that have been developed through medical image segmentation have limitations in describing organs that are presented in low contrast within either magnetic resonance or computed tomography image. The present paper reviews the advantages and disadvantages of these existing classes of computational phantoms and introduces a hybrid approach to a computational phantom construction based on non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) surface animation technology that takes advantage of the most desirable features of the former two phantom types.     

Review of retrospective dosimetry techniques for external ionising radiation exposures

The current focus on networking and mutual assistance in the management of radiation accidents or incidents has demonstrated the importance of a joined-up approach in physical and biological dosimetry. To this end, the European Radiation Dosimetry Working Group 10 on 'Retrospective Dosimetry' has been set up by individuals from a wide range of disciplines across Europe. Here, established and emerging dosimetry methods are reviewed, which can be used immediately and retrospectively following external ionising radiation exposure. Endpoints and assays include dicentrics, translocations, premature chromosome condensation, micronuclei, somatic mutations, gene expression, electron paramagnetic resonance, thermoluminescence, optically stimulated luminescence, neutron activation, haematology, protein biomarkers and analytical dose reconstruction. Individual characteristics of these techniques, their limitations and potential for further development are reviewed, and their usefulness in specific exposure scenarios is discussed. Whilst no single technique fulfils the criteria of an ideal dosemeter, an integrated approach using multiple techniques tailored to the exposure scenario can cover most requirements.     

Reference dosimetry measurements for the international intercomparison of criticality accident dosimetry SILENE 9-21 June 2002

An international intercomparison of criticality accident dosimetry systems took place in the SILENE reactor, in June 2002. Participants from 60 laboratories irradiated their dosemeters (physical and biological) using two different configurations of the reactor. In preparation for this intercomparison, the leakage radiation fields were characterised by spectrometry and dosimetry measurements using the ROSPEC spectrometer associated with a NE-213 scintillator, ionisation chambers, GM counters, diodes and thermoluminescence dosemeters (TLDs). For this intercomparison, a large area was required to irradiate the dosemeters both in free air and on phantoms. Therefore, measurements of the uniformity of the field were performed with activation detectors and TLDs for neutron and gammas, respectively. This paper describes the procedures used and the results obtained.