People often ask these radiation protection questions

Set of radiation protection related questions and answers often asked by RPS / RPO delegates and by people via email or social media

  • How reliable is TVT (10th Value Thickness) in radiation shielding calculations?

    Published: Feb 20, 2023

    Source: Ionactive Consulting Radiation Protection Resource

      Tags:
    • TVT
    • 10th Value Thickness
    • TVL
    • 10th Value Layer
    • Linear attenuation Coefficient
    • Mass Absorption Coefficient
    • MFP (Mean Free Path)
    • Buildup
    • Relaxation length
    • Mean Free Path (MFP)

    The TVT (10th value thickness), and HVT (1/2 value thickness) are easy to use simplifications in radiation shielding calculations. They are a good approximation to the solution desired, and in many cases will give shielding results as good (i.e. as accurate) as the more complicated and expensive models (e.g. MicroShield and MCNP etc). However, they should be used with caution and especially where thin shields are required with low energy photons. The TVT may over estimate the shielding required, but not always. This resource will explore these issues and answer questions like 'is build up (B) accounted for in published TVT / HVT data' and similar. You will also note that there is a requirement to interpolate publicly available data (e.g. for linear attenuation coefficients) and this alone can explain why published TVT for a particular gamma emitter and shielding material can vary.

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  • How do I convert TVT (10th value thickness) values to attenuation for Gamma or X-ray sources of radiation?

    Published: Feb 15, 2023

    Source: Ionactive Consulting Radiation Protection Resource

      Tags:
    • TVT
    • 10th Value Thickness
    • Attenuation
    • Radiation Shielding
    • TVL
    • 10th Value Layer

    Using exact values of TVT (10 value thickness) is quite easy - just work in 1/10ths. However, a little more work is required when you have fractions of a TVT, or you want to know precisely the attenuation of a given radiation shield, or precisely how many TVT is contained within a given thickness of material. This article provides the information you need!

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  • How do I convert TVT to HVT (or the other way around)?

    Published: Feb 11, 2023

    Source: Ionactive Consulting Radiation Protection Resource

      Tags:
    • TVT
    • HVT
    • TVL
    • HVL
    • !0th value thickness
    • 1/2 value thichness

    A short and simple article looking at the conversion of 10th value thickness (TVT) to 1/2 value thickness (HVT), or the reverse process. Note that sometimes TVT is known as TVL (10th value layer) and HVT is known as HVL (1/2 value layer).

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  • What is a Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS)?

    Published: Feb 10, 2023

    Source: Ionactive Consulting Radiation Protection Resource

      Tags:
    • RPS
    • Radiation Protection Supervisor

    The Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) is a statutory appointment required by the UK Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17). The RPS is appointed in writing by an employer who works with ionising radiation. The RPS is required to supervise the radiation safety aspects of the work, in compliance with local rules.

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  • What is a Radiation Protection Officer (RPO)?

    Published: Oct 03, 2021

    Source: Ionactive Consulting Radiation Protection Resource

      Tags:
    • RPO
    • Radiation Protection Officer
    • Radiation Protection Officer Training
    • online RPO training course

    A Radiation Protection Officer (RPO) is a specialist in radiation protection defined in the UK and also by IAEA. This resource explains the role of the RPO within UK universities, and the slightly different role within companies using ionising radiation around the world.

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  • What type of radiation is most harmful to health?

    Published: Sep 29, 2021

      Tags:
    • Alpha Particles
    • Beta Particles
    • Gamma / X-rays
    • Neutrons
    • External Exposure
    • Internal Exposure
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