July 1998

A significant new dosimetry technology recently was announced by our radiation dosimetry vendor, Landauer, Inc. Implementing the new technology—which will occur at each of Landauer’s 6,000 client organizations—will require replacing all of the old film badges and badge holders in September. The new technology is called optically stimulated luminescence (OSL). Radiation striking an OSL dosimeter passes through a thin layer of aluminum oxide. During analysis, a laser is used to stimulate the aluminum oxide, which luminesces in proportion to the amount of radiation exposure. OSL provides a much greater dynamic range and sensitivity than film, with readings possible down to 1 mrem (versus 10 mrem with film). The technology provides other advantages including long-term stability, improved qualitative information about the exposure, and new color-coding and graphics options. The cost per-badge is expected to rise about 7% to 9%. Ring dosimeters will not be changed until sometime next year, when they also will be replaced by OSL technology. ORS will provide more information about these changes over the course of the summer.