Radiation and Health Technology Laboratory Capabilities

Abstract

On the CoverA calibration technician in the Radiological Calibration and Standards Laboratory performing a bench-top calibration of an alpha-sensitive continuous air monitor. The laboratory calibrates over 15,000 radiation detection instruments a year.Torso calibration phantoms are used at the In Vivo Radioassay and Research Facility to calibrate lung counting systems.The shielded enclosure around the k-fluorescence x-ray machine provides a "clean" spectrum for performing nearly mono-energetic photon energy response testing of instruments and dosimeters. The researcher is setting up a horizontal angular dependence evaluation of finger ringer dosimeters.This document is intended to serve as a reference guide for PNNL staff and clients who desire technical information about the broad capabilities of the Radiation and Health Technology Laboratories. The document has been expanded and revised several times to add additional information as requested by its users. We welcome comments and suggestions for future revisions. SummaryThe Radiological Standards and Calibration Laboratory (RS&CL) at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) provides a broad mix of calibration and testing services within a single organization. Its staff of over 50 individuals includes several nationally recognized leaders in the fields of dosimetry, performance testing, and radiological calibrations. The laboratory provides a unique mix of radiological and environmental testing and characterization facilities that give clients access to a broader variety of test capabilities than is typically available within a single laboratory. The organization performs instrument, radiological source, and dosimetry calibrations; maintains the reference standards necessary to trace the Hanford Site programs and other research-and quality-related programs to national standards; performs environmental effects testing on equipment and materials; performs non-destructive assay for special nuclear material; and performs in vivo assay of radioactive materials. This document describes the facilities and procedures used to accomplish this mission.The specialized facilities developed to support calibrations, dosimetry, in vivo bioassay, and instrument performance evaluations include the following:

Hanford Radiological Protection Support Services Annual Report for 2001

“…Based on information gathered in 1999 comparing the HCND response to tissue-equivalent proportional counter response at various locations in PFP (Scherpelz, Fix, and Rathbone 2000), the algorithm used to calculate neutron dose from HCND readings was revised and implemented on May 1. (See also Section 2.2.4 in last year's report [Lynch et al 2001].) After processing the first batch of dosimeters in May, an error was discovered in the line of code that established the threshold for dose reporting.…”

“…Following up on the study discussed in last year's report (Lynch et al 2001) that showed a small deep dose being recorded by the HSD from beta radiation from 90 Y, algorithm changes were implemented on April 16, 2001 to reduce this response to near zero. The study had concluded that the over-response of the HSD was due to the curvature of the plastic bubble over the deep dose chip.…”

“…A major study of the effect of wearing a lead apron on gamma-ray and neutron dosimetry, with recommendations for placement of dosimeters, was conducted in 2000 (Section 2.4.5 in last year's report [Lynch et al 2001]). In 2001, the PFP radiological control organization asked for a continuation of that study for a lead apron of different composition and thickness from the apron used in the original study.…”

“…Program activities conducted during CY 2001 are discussed in the following sections. A detailed description of the project's capabilities can be found in PNNL-10354, Rev 1, Radiation and Health Technology Laboratory Capabilities (Goles et al 2001).…”