Dosimetry
As Radiation Safety facilitates and monitors all radioactive materials and radiation generating device use at Boston University and Boston Medical Center, exposure monitoring is a primary concern. As a major component of ensuring the safe work practices with radiation sources, Radiation Safety distributes, surveys, and monitors all dosimetry to BU and BMC employees.
Dosimeters are passive exposure monitors distributed to individuals who are likely to receive 10% of their annual exposure limits or who otherwise request them. Please contact Radiation Safety if you have any questions or concerns.
Forms related to Dosimetry
Request a Dosimeter
To request a dosimeter, please fill out the Dosimetry Request form.
In addition, if you have worn a radiation dosimeter in the last 12 months, please complete indicate this on the Dosimetry Request form and fill out all required fields. In addition to this please complete and sign the Past Exposure History Release Statement and return it to Radiation Safety via email or fax (617-358-7686).
Replacement Dosimeter Request
Fill out the replacement dosimeter request form.
Pregnancy Declaration
To declare a pregnancy, which is done on a voluntary basis, please contact Radiation Safety by email or phone at 617-358-6177. A staff member will contact you regarding how to complete the Pregnancy Declaration Form.
Please note NRC Regulatory Guide 8.13 and 8.29 are also available for you to review.
NRC Regulatory Guide 8.13:Instruction Concerning Prenatal Radiation Exposure
NRC Regulatory Guide 8.29: Instruction Concerning Risks from Occupational Radiation Exposure
If you have any questions regarding the Pregnancy Declaration Form and or NRC Regulatory Guides you can contact Radiation Safety at 617-358-6177 during business hours (M-F 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) or via email.
Dosimetry Information
Here is some helpful information in regards to wearing, syncing and interpreting the results of your dosimetry. This information is based on the dosimetry vendor’s technical specifications, as well as procedures established by DMPRS and the Radiation Safety Committee at Boston University and Boston Medical Center.
Who needs to use dosimetry?
As prescribed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 105 CMR 120.200, all individuals directly performing fluoroscopic procedures and any individual likely to receive 10% of the annual dose limit of 5000 mRem are required to receive dosimetry. The individuals likely to receive 10% of the limit are determined by Radiation Safety through an extensive review process. The “Dosimetry Requirement Decision Tree” is a helpful tool for any individual unsure if they should have dosimetry.
Please complete the Request for Personnel Monitoring Dosimetry Request form online.
What does my dosimetry do?
Dosimetry is used to determine the cumulative exposure over a wear period, not mitigate it. A dosimeter cannot perform its function if it is not worn or not returned. After being returned, the dosimetry is shipped out to the vendor for processing and measurement. This process takes several weeks and the results of these measurements will be sent electronically to the departmental contact for each series code, usually during the first week of the month.
How do I wear my dosimetry?
There are several different wear configurations established by DMPRS to accurately measure the dose to an individual. These configurations are vital for accurate measurements and compensate for artificially inflated or lowered values. Please reference the wear chart for detailed information in regards to this matter.
How do I sync my electronic dosimeter?
Your Mirion Instadose+ Dosimeters are designed to stay with you throughout the duration of your employment at BU and/or BMC, and should only be used while performing work as part of your employment. If you work with radiation/radioactive material at another institution,
do not use your BU/BMC issued dosimeter there.
- Automatic Dose Syncing:
The Mirion Hot Spot Readers are scheduled to automatically sync weekly. Beginning on Tuesday at 5:00 PM until Wednesday at 5:00PM, the reader will search hourly for dosimeters that are within 10-15 feet, and will sync any dose readings to the server.
All wearers who work in an area that has a reader should rack their dosimeters in the designated storage location when not in use. Reader locations have been selected, when possible, to ensure proximity to existing storage locations to maximize use of the automated system.
DMPRS staff will check regularly to ensure that badges sync successfully.
If there appear to be any syncing issues, the affected wearer will be contacted directly.
Please note that proximity of a dosimeter to the reader does not “trigger” an automatic read.
- Manual Dose Syncing:
Some wearers do not have a Mirion Hot Spot Reader in their designated area, but frequently work in areas that do. These users will need to manually sync their dosimeter monthly, following the below instructions.
Additionally, in the event that a dosimeter is not synced during the automatic weekly dose syncing, the wearer may also be asked to perform a manual dose syncing:
- Ensure that the dosimeter is within 10-15 feet of the reader.
- On the back of the dosimeter, hold down the white circular button for 3-5 seconds until the light at the top corner of the badge briefly displays a steady green light. The reader will also briefly display a steady green light. This indicates the start of the transmission between the dosimeter and the reader.
- You may notice a series of flashing green or blue lights on both the dosimeter and the reader during transmission. Once transmission of your dose records is complete, both your dosimeter and the reader will again briefly display a steady green light. This should take no longer than 30 seconds. If the reader displays a red, pink, or purple light, transmission was not successful. If your dosimeter does not display blinking green lights, or if you see any red lights, transmission may not have been successful. Please contact us to let us know.
Please note that it is important for your Instadose+ Dosimeter to remain at or in between 60°F – 85°F in order to sync. Exposure to temperatures outside of this range may cause an anomaly read in the system, requiring wearers to perform additional manual syncs.
Where can I find a Hot Spot Reader for my electronic dosimeter?
There are 27 Hot Spot Readers located throughout BMC:
| Department |
Location |
| Animal Science Center |
W-911A |
| CT |
Menino 1246 |
| DMPRS |
Evans Basement 01 |
| Endoscopy |
Moakley 2 |
| EP |
Menino 2, Lab 1 |
| EP |
Menino 2150/2152, Lab 2 |
| IR/Cath |
Menino 2131, Bay 1 |
| IR/Cath |
Menino 2131, Bay 2 |
| IR/Cath |
Menino 2131, Bay 3 |
| IR/Cath Hybrid |
Menino 2529, Enter from MOR 2534 |
| IR/Neruo Lab 2 |
Across Menino 2529 / Menino 2536 |
| Mammography |
Moakley 1300 |
| Menino OR |
Menino 2nd floor, Nursing Station |
| Moakley OR |
Moakley 2239, Nursing Station |
| Nuclear Medicine, General |
Menino 1752 |
| Nuclear Medicine, PET/CT |
Menino 1738 |
| Orthopedics |
Dowling (G) 108 (Resident’s Lounge) |
| Pain Management |
Menino 1112 |
| Pulmonary |
R-3 (Pulmonary Center) |
| Radiation Medicine |
Moakley LL235 |
| Radiation Medicine |
Moakley LL203 |
| Radiology |
FGH 3021 |
| Radiology |
FGH 4020 |
| Radiology |
Shapiro LL514 |
| Radiology (RTE) |
Menino 1161 (over computers) |
| Radiology/Orthopedics |
Shapiro 4331 |
| Urology |
Shapiro 3532 (Procedure Room) |
How is my dosimetric information interpreted?
Radiation Safety Officer, or qualified desginee, reviews all dosimetry reports to ensure complete regulatory compliance and to ensure the utmost accuracy of reporting. The division will investigate any radiation exposures greater than 10% of the regulatory limits.
For additional information please contact Radiation safety via email or phone at 617-358-6177.