The Principles of Radiation Monitoring and the Radiation Protection System in Hong Kong

H.M.Mok Physicist Radiation Health Unit Department of Health

Contents
Basic properties of ionising radiation and its interactions with matter Principles of radiation detection and the measuring instruments Dosimetry and health effects of ionising radiation Radiation protection system and regulatory framework in Hong Kong

Basic Properties of Ionising Radiation

What is radiation ? Radiation is the energy emitted in the form of microscopic particles or photons Radiation interacts with matter through the fundamental interactions of our nature Predominantly through the electromagnetic (for charged particles and photons) and strong interactions (for hadrons)

Basic Properties of Ionising Radiation

Ionising radiation The radiation that interacts with a physical medium to produce ion pairs For example, , , X, -radiation, neutron, proton, pion, muon, etc. Invisible to human such that the detection of it demands a suitable monitoring instrument

Basic Properties of Ionising Radiation

Non-ionising radiation The radiation that does not produce ion pairs in physical medium For example, soft ultra-violet, infra-red, visible light, microwave, radio-frequency, etc.

Basic Properties of Ionising Radiation

Electromagnetic Spectrum (Photons)

Basic Properties of Ionising Radiation

Two major sources of ionising radiation:
Naturally occurring radiation Cosmic rays Natural radioactive substances in environment (e.g. uranium and thorium in rock and soil) Indoor radon Contribute to the public exposure by about 80%

Sources of Ionizing Radiation

Cosmic rays

Sources of Ionizing Radiation

Artificially produced radiation X-rays Artificially produced radioactive substances (e.g. Co-60, I-131, Cs-137, etc.) Nuclear reactor (e.g. PWR, AGR, etc.) Nuclear weapon (e.g. fission type, fission-fusionfission type, etc.) Particle accelerator (e.g. synchrotron, linear accelerator, cyclotron, etc.)

Sources of Ionizing Radiation

Sources of Ionizing Radiation

The European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva. The large circle is the ring of the site of the upcoming 14 TeV Large Hadron Collider (LHC).

Sources of Ionizing Radiation

Applications of Ionizing Radiation

Ionising properties Penetrating properties

Applications of Ionizing Radiation

Medical and dental uses Radiodiagnosis (e.g. conventional X-ray, Computed Tomography, nuclear medicine, PET/CT, Medical cyclotron, etc.) Radiotherapy (e.g. Gammaknife, Cyberknife, Tomotherapy, brachytherapy, etc.) Radioassay (e.g. clinical tests) Dental X-ray (e.g. Intraoral or panoramic X-ray, portable dental X-ray)
Remark: Medical exposure is the major contribution of public exposure from artificial sources

Applications of Ionizing Radiation

Industrial uses Structural analysis of materials (e.g. nondestructive testing, moisture/density testing) Quality analysis of manufactured products (e.g. XRF system) Thickness measurements, static elimination, etc.

Applications of Ionizing Radiation

Others Smoke detectors Luminous watch Self-luminous devices (e.g. Tritium EXIT sign) Lightning preventors Anti-terrorism (various inspection scanning system)

Applications of Ionizing Radiation

Medical Uses of Ionizing Radiation

Industrial Uses of Ionizing Radiation

Other Uses of Ionizing Radiation

Portal Type Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System

Fundamental Interactions of Nature

Strong Interaction Electromagnetic Interaction Weak Interaction (unified with E.M. become electroweak interaction) Gravitation

Interactions with Matter through Electromagnetic Interaction

Only for charged particles or photons - Interact with the atoms of matter: Scattering Excitation Ionisation Bremsstrahlung radiation production - Interact with the atomic nuclei: Scattering Excitation Production of particles (lead to change of nucleus content)

Interactions of Photon with Matter

For photons: Photoelectric effect Compton effect Pair Production Photonuclear effect Inverse Compton effect

Energy Dependence of Photon Interactions with Matter

Interactions with Matter through Strong Interaction

Only for hadrons (means strong interaction particles, e.g. proton, neutron, pion, kaon, etc.) - Interact with the atomic nucleus (lead to change of nuclear content): Scattering Activation of nucleus (e.g. neutron activation) Induce nucleus transformation (fission, fusion or fragmentation) Production of subatomic particles (e.g. pions, kaons, etc.)

Principles of Detection of Ionising Radiation

Based on the ion production property Number of events proportional to the intensity of radiation Collection of the ions produced and counting Calibration to convert the raw counting signal to the measured quantity required Fundamental design of detectors depends on the dosimetric quantity measured, radiation type, sensitivity, radiation energy response, effective range of signal (e.g. Minimum Detection Level), geometry of measurement, response time, etc.

Principles of Detection of Ionising Radiation

Low penetrating radiation (e.g. alpha or beta radiation) requires small detector wall thickness Low intensity radiation level requires more detection material Ambient radiation measurement requires isotropic detector response Surface contamination measurement requires directional response

Principles of Detection of Ionising Radiation

Radiation dose/dose rate measurement Radiation contamination measurement Radiation spectroscopy

Principles of Detection of Ionising Radiation

Type of medium of radiation detector: Gaseous type (electron and ion pairs in gas) Ionisation chamber Proportional counter Geiger Muller counter

Principles of Detection of Ionising Radiation

Schematic diagram of gas flow type proportional counter

Principles of Detection of Ionising Radiation

Monte Carlo simulation of avalanche in proportional counter

Principles of Detection of Ionising Radiation

Ionisation chamber type portable survey meter

Principles of Detection of Ionising Radiation

Geiger Muller Type Electronic Personal Dosimeter

Principles of Detection of Ionising Radiation

Geiger Muller type radioactive contamination counter

Principles of Detection of Ionising Radiation

Geiger Muller type radioactive contamination counter

Principles of Detection of Ionising Radiation

Gas flow proportional counter type Low Level Alpha Beta Counting System

Principles of Detection of Ionising Radiation

BF3 proportional counter type portable neutron monitor

Energy Dependence of the Relative Neutron Response of Bonner Sphere

Principles of Detection of Ionising Radiation

Solid state type (electron and hole pairs in solid) Scintillation counter (Plastic, NaI, CsI,) Semiconductor detector (diode structure: Si, Ge, CZT) Thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) Film

Principles of Detection of Ionising Radiation

The scintillation type contamination counter

Principles of Detection of Ionising Radiation

CZT Detector Probe

Principles of Detection of Ionising Radiation

CZT Detector Assembly

Principles of Detection of Ionising Radiation

Alpha Spectroscopy System

Principles of Detection of Ionising Radiation

Surface Barrier Type Silicon Detector of the Alpha Spectroscopy System

Principles of Detection of Ionising Radiation

Schematic diagram of surface barrier type silicon detector

Principles of Detection of Ionising Radiation

High Purity Germanium (HPGe) Gamma Spectroscopy System

Principles of Detection of Ionising Radiation

High Purity Germanium (HPGe) Portable Gamma Spectroscopy System

Principles of Detection of Ionising Radiation

Radiation Portal Monitor

Principles of Detection of Ionising Radiation

Whole Body Type Thermoluminescent Dosimeter (TLD)

Principles of Detection of Ionising Radiation

Finger Ring Type Thermoluminescent Dosimeter (TLD)

Dosimetry and Health Effects of Ionising Radiation

The physical quantity for the radiation energy absorbed per unit of matter is known as absorbed dose The unit of absorbed dose is Gray (Gy) 1 Gy 1 Joule/kilogram (J/kg) The unit of dose equivalent is Sievert (Sv) The dose quantity associated with the fatal cancer risk is known as effective dose The unit of effective dose is also Sievert (Sv)

Dosimetry and Health Effects of Ionising Radiation

Deterministic effect Stochastic effect

Dosimetry and Health Effects of Ionising Radiation Deterministic effect

Occurs above certain dose threshold, usually begin around the dose order of 1 Gy Significant amount of cell death leads to loss of tissue or organ function Severity of harm increase with dose above threshold dose

Dosimetry and Health Effects of Ionising Radiation

Temporary sterility in male for a single absorbed dose in testes 0.15 Gy Permanent sterility 3.5 to 6 Gy Depression of blood forming process 0.5 Gy Gastrointestinal damage 10 Gy LD50 in 60 days due to bone marrow syndrome in acute exposure 3-5 Gy

Dosimetry and Health Effects of Ionising Radiation Stochastic effect

Carcinogenesis Probability coefficients mainly based on epidemiological studies of atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki (RERF) Linear-no-threshold hypothesis (LNT) Assume a simple proportionate relationship between increments of dose and increased risk

Dosimetry and Health Effects of Ionising Radiation

Nominal Probability Coefficient (10-2/Sv-1)
Exposed Population Adult Workers Whole Population Fatal Non-fatal Cancer Cancer 4.0 5.0 0.8 1.0 Severe Hereditary Effects 0.8 1.3 Total 5.6 7.3

Radiation Protection System and Regulatory Framework in Hong Kong

An effective control system for radiation protection is of prime importance to achieve a suitable balance between the risk and benefit of radiation to human and the environment

Radiation Protection System and Regulatory Framework in Hong Kong

International principles of radiological protection (ICRP 60 and 103) Regulatory control - Laws and regulations (Radiation Ordinance (Cap 303)) Regulatory authority (Radiation Board) Policies and licensing system Radiological protection services Internal safety management system of individual organization Radiological protection personnel, technology, equipment and facilities

Radiation Protection System and Regulatory Framework in Hong Kong

Exposure situations Planned exposure occupational exposure, public exposure, potential exposure and medical exposure Emergency exposure unexpected situations require urgent protective actions Existing exposure (e.g. indoor radon not related to practices)

Radiation Protection System and Regulatory Framework in Hong Kong

Principles of Radiological Protection Justification Do more good than harm (sufficient individual or societal benefit to offset radiation detriment) Optimisation As low as reasonably achievable (take into account economic and societal factors) Limitation Limit the individual dose in planned exposure situation (except medical exposure)

Regulatory Control in Hong Kong

Licensing system established by the authority under Radiation Ordinance (Cap 303) Radiation safety requirements for protecting the workers and public as prescribed in the conditions of licence for the specific use of radiation Licensing assessment on the radiation safety of the concerned device and installation, its conformance to the relevant international/national standards, safety testing certificate, safety procedures, staff supervision and training, working instructions and code of practice, etc.

Regulatory Control in Hong Kong

On-site inspection, including radiation survey, document audits, checking of radiation protection instrument and facility, etc., to ensure maintaining of the radiation safety Enforcement action investigation, verbal/written warning, legal action, corrective/preventive action and follow-up action Radiation incident and emergency response organisation is required to establish contingency plans for dealing with incident or accident involving radiation, report to the authority when incident occurs, authority response with other departments according to the government emergency arrangements

Regulatory Control in Hong Kong

Dose Limits Prescribed in Radiation Ordinance
Effective Dose Dose Equivalent Eye Skin Extremity Fetus

Occupational 20mSv/yr 150mSv 500mSv 500mSv 1mSv

Public 1mSv/yr

Radiological Protection Services in Hong Kong

Competent laboratories approved by Radiation Board The University of Hong Kong The Chinese University of Hong Kong Hong Kong University of Science & Technology The Hong Kong Polytechnic University City University of Hong Kong Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital

Radiological Protection Services in Hong Kong

Radiation protection courses approved by Radiation Board Occupational Safety and Health Council Hong Kong Productivity Council Hong Kong Polytechnic University The University of Hong Kong

Recent Development of the Perspectives of Radiation Protection (ICRP 103)

Retain the assumption of a simple proportionate relationship between increments of dose and increased risk Collective dose is inappropriate for risk projections and aggregated very low individual doses over extended period of time Proposed radiation weighting factor for charged pions Revised radiation weighing factors (neutron) Revised tissue weighing factors (breast, gonads and remainder tissues) Dose constraint for emergency situation and existing situation Environmental concern

References
ICRP, 1990 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, ICRP Publication 60, Ann. ICRP 21 (1-3), 1991; ICRP, The 2007 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, ICRP Publication 103, Ann. ICRP 37 (2-4), 2007; Knoll G.F., Radiation Detection and Measurement, John Wiley & Sons, Canada, 1989.

Thank You!