Methods of Minimizing External Dose - doe-hdbk-1106-97

DOE-HDBK-1106-97

Instructor's Notes

3.4

Room contamination that can result in the spread of

radionuclides to a non-radioactive use area.

4.0

Methods of Minimizing External Dose

4.1 Distance

Maintain the greatest distance possible between the

worker and the gamma-emitting animal to make full use

of the inverse square law. This law, simply stated,

implies that if the distance from a radioactive source is

doubled, the dose is reduced by a factor of four.

4.2

Time

When the distance cannot be minimized, the amount of

time spent in the proximity of the radioactive animal

should be kept at a minimum.

4.3

Shielding

When the above is not possible for any reason or when

the dose rate is determined to be very high, lead

shielding of the proper thickness should be placed

between the worker and animal. This is a clumsy

technique and should only be attempted following

consultation with a health physicist.

4.4

Source Reduction

Following the experiment and/or the death of the animal,

proper waste disposal proceedings should be initiated.

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