Cumulative dose measurements using radiophotoluminescence glass dosimeter in cold areas

Environmental cumulative doses measured by a radiophotoluminescence glass dosimeter (RPLD) and a thermoluminescence dosimeter (TLD) were compared at the same monitoring points during two years. In winter season, when the mean temperature of the monitoring points dropped below 4 deg C, the RPLD-sensitivity offered approximately 5% lower values in comparison with those in other seasons. From the artificial irradiation experiments under different room temperatures, the sensitivity of RPLD was found to decrease by 3-4% below 6.3 deg C, while the difference was negligible above 8 deg C. Based on the present results, much attention should be paid to the sensitivity changes of RPLD, whenever used in cold areas. (author)