Training in radiological protection-A pool of practical exercises. II. Radiation scatter in a simulated radiography facility

Abstract

For pt.I, see ibid., vol.1, no.2, p.15, (1981). An exercise is described in which the objectives are to illustrate some of the problems and underlying principles related to scattered radiation in industrial radiography situations, although the principles involved can be applied to other situations. A model of a radiography room, with a beta emitter as the source of radiation, is used to demonstrate: the scatter of radiation down a maze entrance; 'air scatter' over the walls of the room; the effect of beam collimation on dose rates from scattered radiation; the minimisation of scattered dose rates by judicious direction of the collimated beam. The exercise is strictly qualitative and course participants are positively warned that the results must not be regarded as having any quantitative value. The exercise provokes discussions on a number of topics; typically regarding the economic benefit (in terms of savings in cost of protection) to be derived from being able to limit the size and direction of the useful beam.