NRPB PADC neutron personal dosimetry after IRCP 60

The NRPB has been operating a routine neutron personal dosimetry service based upon the electrochemical etching of PADC (poly allyl diglycol carbonate) elements since 1986. This service covers approximately 1000 workers in the UK and abroad, requiring the issue of around 7500 dosemeters annually. It has performed relatively well in international intercomparisons with samples taken from routine stock. The recommendations of ICRP 60 (International Commission on Radiological Protection, 1991) may have serious consequences for many operational neutron dosimetry services. The reduction in dose limits from 50 mSv to an average of 20 mSv per year, the introduction of constraints and the requirements for dose estimation in some circumstances down to a few mSv per year, inevitably result in a need to estimate lower doses with greater precision. Additionally, the proposed change in the Q(L) relationship to be applied in respect of the ICRU operational quantities will effectively decrease the (dose equivalent) sensitivity of detectors.