Skin depth dose distribution measurement and analysis using radiochromic dosimetry

Graduation date: 2012Compliance with 10CFR 20.101 requires that exposure to the skin be assessed at a depth of 0.007 cm over 10 cm² area. This depth generally corresponds to the interface between the epidermal and dermal layers of the skin. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission states the criteria for evaluating skin dose from hot particle contamination at specific skin depths and sets dose limits for such exposure. In this work, GafChromic® external beam therapy (EBT) film, a near tissue equivalent film is simulated to represent skin. Monte Carlo N Particle simulations and experiments using various radiation sources are conducted at shallow depth for skin dosimetry. The results are compared to VARSKIN 4, a computational skin dose calculator. Accurate measurements using the radiochemical dosimeter will provide a fast, practical application of measuring skin dose at shallow depths over a wide range of energy sources. In the future, the film can be used in designing protective clothing for radiation workers as it is cost effective, highly sensitive to radiation and easy to work with