What dosimetry devices are commonly used to monitor occupational exposure?

• A. Geiger counters, pulse oximeters, and thermometers.
• B. MRI coils and pacemakers.
• C. Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs), optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLs), and electronic personal dosimeters (EPDs)/film badges.
• D. Ultrasound gel and transducers.

Answer: (C)

Measuring how much ionizing radiation a worker has absorbed over time is the goal of occupational dosimetry. The devices most commonly used for this purpose are thermoluminescent dosimeters, optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters, and electronic personal dosimeters or film badges. Thermoluminescent dosimeters store energy in a crystal during exposure and emit light when heated; the light amount corresponds to the absorbed dose, giving a cumulative record. Optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters work similarly but use light to release the stored energy, offering precise, reusable readings over a wide dose range. Electronic personal dosimeters provide real-time dose and dose-rate information, often with alarms to warn of high exposure, while still contributing to the official dose history. Film badges record exposure by the darkening of photographic film and can be read later to estimate dose, though they’re less common now. Geiger counters measure current radiation levels and are used for area surveys, not to track an individual’s accumulated dose, and MRI coils, pacemakers, and ultrasound equipment are not dosimeters.