Radiation Protection Authority of Zimbabwe (RPAZ) provides the national dosimetry service for all the radiation workers in Zimbabwe. (In effect all the persons occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation.) All radiation workers are legally required to be monitored.
The dosimetry service entails the issuing and dispatch of dosimeters to radiation workers for monitoring radiation exposure. At the end of the monitoring period (wearing period), the dosimeters are sent back to the RPAZ which processes the dosimeters once they have been returned and dose results are then sent to the clients. For this service, an administration fee is charged.
Available Services
1. Personal Dosimetry
Monitoring for X-ray, gamma and beta radiation is done with Thermoluminescent Dosimeters (TLDs). TLDs are worn in a sealed plastic bag from which it must never be removed.
2. Neutron Dosimetry
TLDs in plastic are used for the monitoring of neutron radiation. The TLD must not be removed from the holder during the specified wearing period. People monitored for neutron radiation must also wear a Panasonic personnel TLD.
3. Extremity Dosimetry (Finger rings)
Finger rings are used to monitor doses to extremities. A TLD chip is enclosed in plastic on an aluminium strip. These chips should never be removed from the plastic. The aluminium strip can be bent around a finger or stuck to an unprotected part of the body that is exposed to a close source of radiation.
4. Environmental Dosimetry
TLDs are used to measure the ambient dose in the environment.