What dosimetry devices are used to monitor occupational exposure, and what is the difference between a whole-body and an extremity dosimeter?

• A. OSL/TLD badges for whole body; ring or finger-type dosimeters for extremities; extremity dosimeters measure dose to hands.
• B. Geiger-Muller tubes for whole body; film badges for extremities; extremity measures temperature.
• C. Scintillation badges measure both body parts equally; all measure the same dose.
• D. Digital dosimeters only measure whole body exposure.

Answer: (A)

Personal dosimetry uses two main types of monitors to capture the dose workers receive in different parts of the body. Whole-body monitoring relies on badges made from optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) or thermoluminescent (TLD) materials. These badges are worn on the torso and are read later to determine the overall effective dose to the whole body over the monitoring period.

Extremity monitoring is needed when the hands are likely to receive higher exposure, such as during interventional procedures. For this, ring or finger-type dosimeters are used. They employ the same sensing materials (OSL or TLD) but are configured to measure the dose to the hands specifically, giving a better assessment of skin dose where the radiation is most intense.

Other options aren’t as accurate for routine personal monitoring: Geiger-Muller tubes are real-time survey instruments, not integrated personal dose records; film badges are older technology and not as routinely relied upon today for precise whole-body or extremity dose assessments; and digital dosimeters can measure dose but aren’t limited to whole-body monitoring and can be used for extremities depending on placement.