Intercomparison between CaF2-based environmental TLDs and CaSO4:Dy personnel monitoring TLDs

Two types of thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) are being extensively used for monitoring external gamma radiations in India. These are (i) CaF2 based environmental TLDs for monitoring gamma radiations around nuclear facilities and (ii) CaSO4:Dy based personnel monitoring TLDs for monitoring the occupational doses received by radiation workers. Although based on the same principle, they differ in their design, construction and other operational parameters because of different requirements of monitoring. An intercomparison exercise was carried out by deploying the two dosimeters together in the high background radiation areas (HBRAs) in Kerala. The characteristics of the TLD systems, their advantages, limitations and the assessment of feasibility for the personnel monitoring TLDs being used in the HBRAs for indoor radiation monitoring is discussed. (author)