dosimètres

Dosimètres are devices used to measure exposure to ionizing radiation and to quantify the dose received by a person or by an object. They are essential for radioprotection, helping to keep occupational exposure within regulatory limits and to support the ALARA principle.

They are typically divided into two main categories: passive dosimeters, which accumulate dose over a monitoring period and are read after exposure, and active or electronic dosimeters, which provide real-time dose readings and may issue alarms when limits are approached. Passive dosimeters include film badges, thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) that store energy in crystal lattices and release light when heated, and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeters that yield a light signal when stimulated by a light source. Active dosimeters, often electronic personal dosimeters (EPDs), continuously display dose and dose rate and can transmit data to a central system, enabling immediate hazard awareness in settings such as interventional radiology, radiotherapy, and nuclear facilities.

Applications of dosimeters cover healthcare (diagnostic radiology, interventional procedures, nuclear medicine), industry (industrial radiography, radiation processing), the nuclear power sector, and aviation or spaceflight. The quantity measurements typically used include Hp(10) for whole-body exposure, Hp(0.07) for skin exposure, and the effective dose E, with results traceable to national metrology institutes and aligned with international standards. Calibration, energy and angular dependence considerations, and the need for regular processing or recalibration are important aspects of dosimeter use. Data management and record-keeping support regulatory compliance and the ongoing assessment of occupational risk.