Chemiluminescence dosimetry of accidental gamma and X ray exposures with solid substances

Measurements which may contribute to the development of chemiluminescence dosimetry systems for accidental radiation exposures were performed on water soluble model substances. Potassium iodide and sugar samples were exposed to gamma or X ray radiation, respectively, with doses of 0.1-30 Gy. The subsequent reaction of the irradiated substances to a luminol solution occurs in the form of light emission (chemiluminescence, lyoluminescence). This effect may be used for evaluating the dose to irradiated solid substances. Provided that measurements are performed under standardised conditions, a dose assessment is possible. For potassium iodide, the lower limit of exposure identification is about 0.4 Gy after gamma irradiation (60Co) and less than 0.1 Gy after X ray exposure (260 kV). In gamma irradiated crystallised sugar, the exposure may be identified as approximately 0.4 Gy. The intensity of chemiluminescence does not depend on the dose rate between 0.4 and 90 Gy.min-1 (60Co). The exposure may be identified up to a period of several months after the irradiation. External influences, such as grinding of crystals, may cause an increase in luminescence intensity. It may be assumed that chemiluminescence measurments of solid substances represent a method appropriate for the assessment of unusual radiation exposures. (author)