Vol.
I-4 Principles of Radiation Protection
Protecting Ourselves from Radiation
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Principles of Radiation Protection – Slide 1 Schlumberge
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Vol. I-4 Basic Requirements for Protection
In considering the Use of Ionizing Radiation:
1. No practice shall be adopted unless its
introduction produces a net positive benefit.
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2. All Exposures shall be kept As Low As
Reasonably Achievable, economic and
social factors being taken into account.
3. The Dose Equivalent to individuals shall not
exceed the limits defined by the regulations.
Recommended by ICRP, adopted by NRC and other
national regulatory agencies
Principles of Radiation Protection – Slide 2 Schlumberge
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Vol. I-4.1 Net Positive Benefit
• Medical use of Radioactive Material and Radiation
• Thousands of Lives Saved each year
• Dose equivalent from 20mSv (2 mrem) to >9 mSv (900mrem)
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• Average dose is 0.5mSv (50 mrem) per examination
Principles of Radiation Protection – Slide 3 Schlumberge
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Vol. I-4.2 ALARA
• All Exposures shall be
kept As Low As
As Reasonably
Achievable, economic
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Low and social factors being
taken into account.
As
• All Doses must be
justified
Reasonably • Dose Minimization
is Required
Achievable
Principles of Radiation Protection – Slide 4 Schlumberge
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Vol. I-4.3 Elements of Dose Reduction
TIME
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DISTANCE
SHIELDING
Principles of Radiation Protection – Slide 5 Schlumberge
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Vol. I-4.3.1 Time
• Total dose equivalent is equal to dose
equivalent rate times the time
• H (mrem) = H’ (mrem/hr) x t (hr)
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10 min. 60 min.
Principles of Radiation Protection – Slide 6 Schlumberge
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Vol. I-4.3.1 Time vs. Dose
Example:
How many hours could a member of the public spend in a
Schlumberger shop in one year, if the dose equivalent rate
in the shop is 1 mrem/hr?
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Solution
Known: Solve for t:
H (mrem) = H’ (mrem/hr) x t t (hr) = H (mrem)/ H’ (mrem/hr)
(hr)
t = 100 mrem/1 mrem/hr
H = 100 mrem
t = 100 hours
H’ = 1 mrem/hr
Principles of Radiation Protection – Slide 7 Schlumberge
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Vol. I-4.3.2 Distance
• The ratio of the dose equivalent rate at two locations is
equal to the square of the inverse of their distances from the
source of radiation.
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• H’1(mrem/hr) / H’2(mrem/hr) = (D2 / D1)2
60 min. 60 min.
Principles of Radiation Protection – Slide 8 Schlumberge
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Vol. I-4.3.3 Shielding
• The dose equivalent rate is reduced exponentially with
increasing amounts of shielding material. This varies with the
type of material used and type of radiation.
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60 min. 60 min.
Principles of Radiation Protection – Slide 9 Schlumberge
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Vol. I-4.3.3 Gamma Ray Attenuation
• Efficiency of shielding is generally measured in Half-value layers, the
thickness which reduces radiation of a particular energy by one half
H’(mrem/hr) = H’0 (mrem/hr) x e-x/HVL
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Half-value Layers
8x 4x 2x 1x
Principles of Radiation Protection – Slide 10 Schlumberge
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Vol. I-4.3.3 Shielding: Half-value Layer
HVL thickness for common Gamma radiation
Le ad Iron Conc re te
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in ch e s cm in ch e s cm in ch e s cm
C e s ium 137 0.25 0.63 0.68 1.73 1.55 3.94
C oba lt 60 0.49 1.25 0.87 2.20 2.00 5.08
R a dium 226 0.56 1.42 0.91 2.31 2.15 5.46
Note: 1. HVL increases as material (electron) density decreases
2. HVL increases as Gamma ray energy increases
Principles of Radiation Protection – Slide 11 Schlumberge
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Vol. I-4.3.3 Relative Efficiency of Shielding
1 inch
Uranium Half Value Layer Thickness
for Cesium 137 gamma rays
Tungsten
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Lead
Steel
Concrete
Water
Principles of Radiation Protection – Slide 12 Schlumberge
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Vol. I-4.3.3 Backscattering
• Single Compton Scattering of Backscattered
gamma rays is always < 90° gamma rays
• In dense material, there may be
multiple scattering, resulting in
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the gamma ray being reflected
back towards its origin
• This is called “backscattering”
• This can be a hazard on the rig
floor: i.e. pointing a LDT source
towards the drill pipe will increase
the dose you receive.
Principles of Radiation Protection – Slide 13 Schlumberge
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Vol. I-4.3.3 Neutron Shielding
• More complicated than gamma ray shielding, as
neutrons must first be slowed down, then absorbed.
• Slowing down requires plenty of Hydrogen atoms
(same nuclear mass as neutron). Absorption
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requires Lithium, Boron or Cadmium
• Neutron inelastic scatter and absorption will
generally cause emission of gamma rays requiring
additional shielding
• Am-Be neutron source also emits gamma rays!
Principles of Radiation Protection – Slide 14 Schlumberge
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Vol. I-4.3.3 Relative Efficiency of Neutron Shielding
4 inches Half Value Layer Thickness
Lead for 5 MeV Neutron
10.5 in.
Steel
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4.5 in.
Concrete
4 in.
Water
2.5 in.
2.5 in. Polyethylene
Principles of Radiation Protection – Slide 15 Schlumberge
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Vol. I-4.3.3 Emergency Shielding
• For gamma rays, bags of lead shot are the
best.
• On the rig, sacks of Barite offer good
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gamma ray shielding
• For Neutron sources, drilling mud is the best
shield, as the water slows the neutrons and
the barite gives some gamma ray
attenuation.
Principles of Radiation Protection – Slide 16 Schlumberge
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