Investigation of using a long-life electronic personal dosimeter for monitoring aviation doses of frequent flyers

Abstract

For the aim of managing the in-flight cosmic radiation exposure of frequent flyers, we have investigated an application of a recently developed electronic personal dosimeter (D-shuttle) for aviation dosimetry. In four long-haul flights between Japan and Germany, it was confirmed that the D-shuttle values were in the range of 25%–30% of the total H*(10) estimated by a route-dose calculation program JISCARD EX. It was found that the values obtained with D-shuttle on the chest were nearly the same with those in a hand luggage placed under the passenger seat, while the values obtained in a suitcase which was placed in the cargo area were notably lower than those in the cabin. According to these findings, it would be possible to monitor the annual aviation doses of frequent flyers by using the D-shuttle dosimeters kept in a hand luggage. Such continuous measurements will also be useful for verification of an unpredicted additional exposure from solar energetic particles.