Measuring cosmic-ray exposure in aircraft using real-time personal dosemeters

Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2012 Apr;149(2):169-76. doi: 10.1093/rpd/ncr221. Epub 2011 May 31.

Abstract

Aircrew exposure to radiation was measured on several long-haul flights using two small commercial electronic personal dosemeters: one was a photon dosemeter, the NRF20; the other was a neutron dosemeter, the NRY21-both manufactured by Fuji Electric Systems Co. Ltd. for radiation protection at nuclear facilities. Non-neutron doses were measured using the photon dosemeter, and neutron doses were measured using the neutron dosemeter. The measured non-neutron doses at commercial aviation altitudes agree with the EPCARD (European Program Package for the Calculation of Aviation Route Doses) dose calculation within a difference of 8 %. However, the recorded neutron doses were 5-15 times larger than the EPCARD calculation. These over-measurements are dependent on cut-off rigidities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aircraft*
  • Cosmic Radiation*
  • Humans
  • Neutrons*
  • Occupational Exposure
  • Photons*
  • Radiation Dosage*
  • Radiation Monitoring / instrumentation*
  • Radiation Monitoring / methods*
  • Radiation Protection / methods