Investigation of characteristics of common methods of retrospective dosimetry

As public concern mounts over exposures to ionizing radiation stemming from environmental releases of radionuclides following nuclear accidents, there is a growing need to develop reliable techniques that reconstruct exposures and doses to individuals. Especially in situations where conventional dosimeters were not in place at the time of facing to radiation exposure. In order to provide guidance for emergency situations as well as implementing midterm measures, retrospective dosimetry is defined as the process of estimating doses to individuals from past exposures to ionizing radiations. Joined-up approaches have been introduced for this purpose in biological and physical dosimetry. Main techniques includebiological dosimetry, electron paramagnetic resonance dosimetry and luminescence dosimetry. This project has been devoted to the evaluation of potentials and limitations of these techniques and an experimental assessment of the feasibility of using TL properties of electronic components from personal objects such as mobile phones for retrospective dosimetry. We studied luminescence properties of electronic components inside conventional mobile phones like capacitator, resistor and inductor experimentally. Previous studies have shown alumina inside electronic components of portable electrical tools is a suitable material for luminescence dosimetry. Our analysis of recorded glow curves reveals that among the electronic components found in available mobile phones, alumina richconductors seem particularly suitable for retrospective dosimetry using thermoluminescence, and shows the potential of conventional TL equipment for such purposes.