Some remaining problems in the practical application of the ICRU concepts of operational quantities in individual monitoring

The introduction by ICRU, in 1985, of the operational quantities Hs(0.07) and Hp(10) to be measured in personnel dosimetry bridged, to a large extent, the gap between practical measurements of radiation doses received by individuals and the primary (limited, protection) quantities. However, documentation on the new concepts left several aspects unexplained. Although later ICRU Reports, dealing with the same subject, provided some clarification, there are still questions that need to the answered such as: What phantom should be used for type testing of personal dosemeters? What should be the angular response characteristics of an ideal dosemeter and where should it be worn on the body? Should a personal dosemeter, designed to measure personal dose equivalent, be sensitive to backscatter from the body of the wearer or, more generally, does the fact that the operational quantity 'personal dose equivalent' is defined in the body give rise to (unintended) problems? These and related questions are discussed. (Author)