Direct Reading (Pocket) Dosimeter

Direct Read Pocket Dosimeter

What is a Pocket Dosimeter?

Arrow-Tech dosimeters are rugged, precision instruments about the size
of a pocket fountain pen, which are used to measure accumulative doses or
quantities of gamma & X-ray radiation. A metal clip is used to attach the
dosimeter to an individual's pocket or to any available object in an area to be
monitored for total radiation exposure.
It is pocket-size, conductive-fiber electroscope with an ion chamber for
detecting and indication integrated exposure to gamma and x-radiation. It has
a thin wall which permits the penetration and detection of radiation.
If your Dosimeter is going to be used in harsh conditions where scratching
of the lens is a concern we recommend a synthetic sapphire window to
protect the lens even in the toughest of conditions.
How does the Dosimeter work?

Reading a Dosimeter
 The way we "read" a dosimeter is to just point it at a light source so that
we can look through it and see the scale. The conductive fiber moves across
a very clear well marked scale that produces the reading.

The graduated scale shown is what is viewed when looking through the Dosimeter

Arrow-Tech dosimeters use an extremely sensitive fiber electrometer

type voltmeter and a small volume of air to measure the total amount of
radiation to which the instrument has been exposed. A reading may be made
at any time by merely looking at a source of light through the eyepiece end of
the instrument. The reading here is at zero. This particular dosimeter is the
200 mR model.
Wearing a Dosimeter
 You can wear the dosimeter like a pen in your pocket, or clip it to your
belt. You can also set it outside for an hour, this will tell you the radiation
rate. You don't have to have a radiation meter if you have a dosimeter and
are not in a hurry to measure the rate.
Also, if ten or a hundred people are together or going somewhere, only
one or two of them need to wear a dosimeter. So long as they all stay
together, the radiation dosage that one gets will be what they all get. It is nice
to have two or three, so that you can use one to check the other and make
sure that they are working.
The dosimeter is charged (reset to zero) so the dosimeter can be
used over and over again. This is usually done before each use.

Specifications

Radiation Detected: Gamma and X-ray from 16 KeV to 6 MeV

Ranges: 0 - 200 mR to 0 - 600 R

Energy Response: See Response curve below

Fiber electrometer mounted in an electrically conducting plastic ion

Detector:
chamber

Detector Housing: Very low permeability plastics - hermetically sealed

Accuracy: Within + or - 10% of true exposure

Rate Response: Dose rate independent for gamma and x-radiation

Electrical Leakage: Less than 0.5% of full scale for 24 hours at 50 degrees C

Temperature
-20 degrees C to 50 degrees C
Range:

Relative Humidity: Up to 90%

Dimensions: Length 4.5 in. (12.4cm), Diameter: 0.6in (1.5cm)

Weight: 1.0 oz. (25 grams)

Barrell and end caps: Natural matte black

Finish:
Clips: Metal clips

Warranty: 2 year limited warranty

 Manufactured in the United States
Superior Energy Response: 16 KeV to 6 MeV
Rugged: Meets ANSI Specifications N13.5 and N322
Low Electrical Leakage
Low Range models can measure Background Radiation

Photon Energy Response

The Dosimeter/Rate Meter looks just like a normal pen type

dosimeter. Arrow-Tech, Inc. enhanced the model AT-138 ( 0 to 200 mR)
dosimeter and added a Rate Meter Scale.
 The instruments described in our Web site can provide you with vital
information about fallout radiation. These are not protective devices. Special
shielding- a fallout shelter-is needed if you are to be protective from fallout
radiation which can cause serious damage to living tissue. But the
instruments which we handle can be used as a type of "radiological ruler" to
measure the degree of danger you face, making it possible for you to take
certain actions in or about your home or business that might save you life.

The advantage of this instrument is that you can read the total dose
received (in mR) on the top scale and the bottom scale can record the
Roentgens (R) per hour received when timed for 60 seconds.

Meaning of the Readings

To benefit most from the information obtained from this instrument you
must have some understanding of the biological damage resulting from
nuclear radiation. The precise effects of nuclear radiation are very complex.
( see The Effects of Nuclear Weapons, U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Atomic
Energy Commission; and Radiation Physics and Bomb Phenomenology, TB-11-22, Office of
Civil Defense Mobilization) However. a complete understanding of them is not

required to use your instrument.

Much has been said about the long-range effects from exposure to
radiation- increased incidence of leukemia, shortening of the life span, and
genetic implications. No doubt radiation exposure will result in some
increases in the small percentages of such occurrences normally
expected. Other effects of radiation, called acute effects, can result in
sickness or death in a relatively short time. In the event of a nuclear attack on
this country it is these acute effects that must be dealt with first, and the
equipment here can help you do this.

Scientist generally agree on the amount of radiation damage the body can
sustain without causing sickness and death. There are so many variables
concerning how radiation will affect you that precise determination of the
effects of radiation cannot be made. The total amount of radiation damage
you can incur before becoming ill will depend upon such variables as:

• The duration of the exposure,

• Your body's ability to repair the damage,
• Your general health,
• Your age
• and vigor.

These variables make it difficult to set exact figures for the individual, but
ranges that will apply generally can be given.
Perhaps the most important points to remember are:

1. For a dose of 100 roentgens (R) received in a few days there probably
will be no obvious effects, and you will be able to continue your normal
routine;
2. When the short-term exposure exceeds about 200 roentgens (R) you
will become sick and need medical assistance;
3. A short-term exposure of about 600 R will almost certainly cause death.

Probable Acute Effects of Radiation

(see Emergency Exposures to Nuclear Radiation, TM-11-1, and Medical Aspects of Nuclear
Radiation, TB-11-24, Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization.)
Remember: 1 roentgen (R) = 1000 milli-roentgen (mR)
The Arrow-Tech, Inc. Dosimeter/Rate Meter measures from 0 to 200
mR in a full scale reading, and roentgens (R) per hour for a dose rate.

Short-term, whole-body
Probable effect
exposure in roentgens.

0 - 100 R No obvious effects

100 - 200 R Minor incapacitation

200 - 600 R Sickness and some deaths

Over 600 R Few Survivors

The long-range effects, such as shortened life span, decreased resistance

to disease, etc, are not considered here.
These effects would be modified considerably if the dose were received
over a long period. A short-term dose of 600 R probably would be fatal, but it
would not cause death or have any noticeable external effects if the exposure
were gradually acquired over a much longer period of time - months to years,
for example. The body repairs some of the damage if the exposure is
received gradually, and larger does can be accepted before the individual
becomes sick or before death occurs.
As an example of how this might be applied in an emergency situation: If
a person restricts his total dose of radiation to 200 R for the first month of
exposure, 25 R per week for the next 5 months, and 10 R per week thereafter
for the next 6 months, he would have little, if any, radiation sickness or
impairment of ability to work.
You must remember that any radiation received - NO matter how little - is
harmful. Your body can never repair all the damage. Take every precaution
necessary to keep your exposure as low as possible.

Total Dose and Dose Rate

In applying the term "dose rate" ( in (R) per hour) and "dose" (in
milli-roentgens (mR)), an analogy may be useful. Think of roentgens per hour
as you do miles per hour. The ratemeter, when exposed where you are
located, indicates the number of roentgens per hour you are receiving, just as
the speedometer of an automobile indicates the number of miles per hour you
are traveling. When you see your speedometer showing too high a speed for
road conditions, you slow down to protect yourself. When the ratemeter
indicates too high a radiation rate, you should enter and stay in a shelter to
protect yourself. Both instruments are related to time, Driving 60 miles an
hour for one hour will carry you 60 miles; and if your in a location where the
dose rate is 6 roentgens (R) per hour and remain there for one hour you will
have an exposure rate of 6 roentgens (R).
Radiation levels, like speed levels, change under certain conditions. The
dose rate increases while fallout is being deposited, reaches a peak value, and
then decreases over a period of time - rather rapidly at first but more slowly as
time passes. That's why a dosimeter is needed in measuring
radiation. Think of it this way: It would not be practical to figure the number
of miles you had driven if your speed had varied and you only a speedometer
in your car. That's why every car has an odometer which records the total
number of miles driven. Similarly, it would not be practical to figure your total
radiation dose if the dose rate had varied and you had only a ratemeter for
measuring purposes.
The ratemeter shows you how much radiation is being received at a given
time. The dosimeter shows you how much total radiation has been received.
 Arrow-Tech, Inc. Website: www.arrowtechinc.com Ph.: 1-877/477-6461
417 Main Ave. West – P.O. Box 1240 Fax: 701/477-6464
Rolla, ND 58367-1240 E-mail: [email protected]
____________________________________________________________________________________

Direct Reading Dosimeter - Low Range Models

The Direct-Reading dosimeter is a
pocket-size, carbon fiber electroscope
with a thin walled chamber for detecting
exposure to gamma and x-ray.

The low energy feature has

hospital applications including
fluoroscopy, portable
radiography and angiography.
This pocket size instrument is light weight
and has a sturdy metal clip to attach to
individual’s pocket. The entire unit can be
immersed in water without effecting the
instrument readings.

Low Range Models include: All models are available with a protective hard
Model Range (sapphire) window to prevent the lens from
138 0- 200mR
being scratched in a harsh environment.
138-S 0- 2mSv
Arrow-Tech, Inc. is one of the few companies
500 0- 500mR in the world that maintains the technology to
500-S 0- 5mSv manufacture the direct reading dosimeter.
Specifications
Radiation Detected: Gamma and x-ray from 16 keV to 6 MeV
Ranges: 0 –200 mR, 0 – 500 mR, 0 – 2 mSv, 0 – 5 mSv
Detector: Fiber electrometer mounted in an electrically conductive plastic ion
chamber
Detector Housing: Very low permeability plastics-hermetically sealed
Accuracy: Within + or – 10% of true exposure
Rate Response: Dose rate independent for gamma and x-ray
Electrical Leakage: Less than 1.0% of full scale for 24 hours at 50 C
Temperature Range: -20 degrees C to + 50 degrees C
Relative Humidity: Up to 90%
Dimensions: Length: 4.5” (12.4 cm) Diameter .6 “ (1.5 cm)
Weight: 1.0 oz (25 grams)
Finish: Barrel and end caps are Natural matte black with metal clip
Warranty: 2 year limited warranty

All dosimeters are tested for compliance with ANSI specifications, and customer specification requirements.
All test equipment is calibrated, with documentation of traceability to NIST standards. All dosimeters are
identified as to model number, range, manufacturer’s name, and unique serial number.
WE ACCEPT VISA,MASTERCARD AND AMERICAN EXPRESS
Accumulated radiation is read directly on an internal calibrated scale. A Dosimeter charger is required in order to return the dosimeter
to zero after each exposure or when desired.
 Direct Reading Dosimeters Operation
Item Description A conductive fiber dosimeter is a rugged precision instrument consisting of an ionization
chamber (5) sensitive to radiation. A conductive fiber electrometer (4) which measures
1 Diaphragm Switch
the charge: and a microscope to read the shadow of the fiber on a reticle(scale) (8).
2 Electrostatic Shield
Charging Pin The electrometer embodies two electrodes, one of which is a moveable conductive fiber.
3 When the electrometer is charged to a predetermined voltage, the electrodes assume a
4 Electrometer calibrated separation.
5 Ionization Chamber
As the dosimeter is exposed to radiation, ionization occurs in the surrounding
6 Objective Lens Holder chamber decreasing the charge on the electrodes in proportions to the exposure.
7 Objective Lens The deflection of the moveable conductive fiber electrodes is projected, by a light
source, through an objective lens(7) to the calibrated reticle and read through a
8 Eye Piece/Reticle
microscope eyepiece (10).
9 Eyepiece Spacer
Eyepiece Lens – 2 Illumination for the optical system is obtained by pointing the dosimeter at any convenient
10 light source. Light passes through the clear plastic electrostatic shield (2) to illuminate
11 Upper Barrel the reticle.
12 Upper End Cap
The bottom is sealed by the clear plastic diaphragm switch (1) containing an insulated
13 Lower Barrel charge pin (3). When charging, the charging pin moves up to contact the electrometer
14 Lower End Cap closing the circuit. Sufficient voltage is applied to recharge the system.
The entire system is encased in a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) barrel (11 & 13) with all
15 Window
joints hermetically sealed with epoxy.
16 Metal/Pocket Clip

17 Frame
Contact Arrow-Tech, Inc. for more information on the Direct Reading Dosimeter.
19 Conductive Fiber TOLL FREE 1-877-477-6461 E-mail: [email protected]
Upper Barrel Insert Web Site www.arrowtechinc.com
20
25 Decal/Label