On the feasibility of polymer fibers with mineral filler as emergency dosimeters. (April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pakari, Oskari Ville; Yukihara, Eduardo Gardenali; Gawryluk, Dariusz Jakub; Bossin, Lily
• Is Part Of: Radiation measurements. Volume 153(2021)
• Publication Date: 2022-04
• Subjects: Emergency dosimeter -- Polymer fiber -- Mineral filler -- Calcite -- Thermoluminescence; Nuclear emulsions -- Periodicals; Particle tracks (Nuclear physics) -- Periodicals; Thermoluminescence -- Periodicals; Cosmic rays -- Periodicals; Radiation -- Measurement -- Periodicals; Radiometry -- Periodicals; Radiation Monitoring -- Periodicals; Émulsions nucléaires -- Périodiques; Particules (Physique nucléaire) -- Traces -- Périodiques; Thermoluminescence -- Périodiques; Rayonnement cosmique -- Périodiques; Radiométrie -- Périodiques; 539.77
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2022.106718
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-4487

Abstract

Abstract: The objective of this study is to examine the possibility of using the thermoluminescence (TL) of polymer fibers containing ground calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) mineral fillers as emergency dosimeters. Calcite, consisting mostly of CaCO 3, is a TL material that exhibits two distinct TL peaks that can be exploited for dosimetry and is a naturally occurring mineral that is ubiquitously in use in everyday materials. Polymer fiber materials with CaCO 3 are already produced at scale e.g. for common surgical face masks or surgical gowns, opening the possibility of using such materials as fortuitous dosimeter in emergency situations. To assess the feasibility of such materials as dosimeters, we examined the TL properties of two CaCO 3 powders as well as commercially available surgical face mask samples. The results indicate that the TL emissions across all samples stem from calcite and are in principle usable for dosimetry. We discuss limitations that arise from the fading properties and the potentially complex TL background. As a case example for emergency dosimetry, we examined samples from a commercially available surgical face mask. The face mask was found to exhibit a minimum detectable dose to the order of ∼ 2 Gy, under laboratory conditions. We provide an outlook on how the materials and methods can be improved for radiological dose assessment. Highlights: TL and XRD response of calcite powders and polymer fibers with calcite filler examined. TL emission spectrum, dose response, fading, and phototransfer of calcite characterized. Common surgical face mask identified and tested as potential emergency dosimeter. Possible improvements to the experimental setup and materials discussed.