Which statement correctly differentiates survey meters and dosimeters, including examples and when each is used?

• A. OSLD
• B. Survey meters measure ambient radiation or surface activity; dosimeters measure personal dose accumulation.
• C. TLD
• D. Electronic dosimeter

Answer: (B)

Understanding the difference between environmental monitoring tools and personal monitoring tools is key. Survey meters are designed to assess the radiation present in an area or on surfaces they’re scanned over; they provide real-time readings of ambient dose rate or surface contamination using detectors like ionization chambers, Geiger-Miüller tubes, or scintillation probes. Dosimeters, by contrast, are meant to track the dose a person has received over a period of time, producing a cumulative exposure value (and, for some models, real-time readouts) for regulatory compliance and dose management. Examples of dosimeters include passive types such as thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) and optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLD), as well as active electronic personal dosimeters that show ongoing dose. Examples of survey meters include GM counters, ionization chamber survey meters, and scintillation survey meters for area surveys and surface checks. Use survey meters for area surveys, contamination checks, and shield verification; use dosimeters for monitoring an individual’s occupational dose over time.