Use of Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors in National Radiation Protection Monitoring Programmes

Abstract

In the National Board of Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection of the GDR solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD) have been used routinely both for individual neutron dosimetry and for long-term measurements of radon and radon daughter products in flats and in the environment. For neutron monitoring a fission track dosemeter is used for the simultaneous response to fast and intermediate neutrons, using Makrofol KG as a detector. The long-term dosemeter for registering radon and radon daughter products is based on the diffusion chamber principle. Makrofol DE 1-4 of 300 µm thickness is used as the detector. Detector evaluation and calibration methods are described in detail and detection limits are stated. In addition, a screening measuring method based on CR-39 is presented, allowing the rational performance of long-term measurements by radon diffusion chambers.