Temperature, humidity and time. Combined effects on radiochromic film dosimeters

Abstract

The effects of both relative humidity and temperature during irradiation on the dose response of FWT-60-00 and Risø B3 radiochromic film dosimeters have been investigated in the relative humidity (RH) range 11–94% and temperature range 20–60°C for irradiation by 60Co photons and 10-MeV electrons. The results show that humidity and temperature cannot be treated as independent variables, rather there appears to be interdependence between absorbed dose, temperature, and humidity. Dose rate does not seem to play a significant role. The dependence of temperature during irradiation is +0.25 ± 0.1% per °C for the FWT-60-00 dosimeters and +0.5 ± 0.1% per °C for Risø B3 dosimeters at temperatures between 20 and 50°C and at relative humidities between 20 and 53%. At extreme conditions both with respect to temperature and to humidity, the dosimeters show much stronger dependences. Whenever possible one should use dosimeters sealed in pouches under controlled intermediate humidity conditions (30–50%) or, if that is impractical, one should maintain conditions of calibration as close as possible to the conditions of use. Without that precaution, severe dosimetry errors may result.