INTERNATIONAL ACCELERATOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION E-MAIL (IARPE) NEWSLETTER "The Official Publication of the Accelerator Section of the Health Physics Society" July/August 1998 Circulation: 201 Vol.7, #4 OFFICERS President: Steve Musolino, BNL {musolino@bnldag.ags.bnl.gov} President-Elect: Joe McDonald, PNNL {jc_mcdonald@ccmail.pnl.gov Past President: Vashek Vylet, SLAC {vylet@SLAC.Stanford.EDU} Secretary: Scott Schwahn, Jefferson Labs {schwahn@jlab.org} Treasurer: Gerry Fallon, MIT {fallon@bates.mit.edu} Newsletter Editor: Elaine Marshall, FNAL {emarshall@fnal.gov} Directors: Wes Dunn, International Isotopes (1999) {Wdunn@intiso.com} Henry Kahnhauser, BNL (1999) {kahnhaus@bnl.gov} Bob May, Jefferson Labs (2000) {may@jlab.org} Keith Welch, Jefferson Labs (2000) {welch@jlab.org} Mike Grissom, SLAC (2001) {mikeg@slac.stanford.edu} Marcia Torres, ANL-E (2001) {mtorres@anl.gov} FROM THE PRESIDENT Steve Musolino There are two pieces of official business between the HPS Board and the Section that I like to update the membership about. Back in 1996 the Section requested the HPS Board to review the IRPA delegate section procedure. The existing procedure came about long before the existence of the various Sections of the Society. It was felt that the Sections should have a stake in the selection process and that possibly each Section should be given one delegate to assign to their representative. Second at the last Section Board meeting we made the observation that the Section Treasury that is held in a Secretariat bank account is not paid any interest on the funds. Just after the Annual Meeting, I wrote a letter to incoming Society President Keith Dinger, and asked for a status report on the IRPA delegate issue and requested a review of the financial matter. Keith promptly wrote back and reported that the proposal for a change in the selection process has been discussed at various meetings and will culminate in a decision by the HPS Board at their January meeting. I personally believe that a change in the process is justified with the Sections coming into existence and hope that it goes forward. On the matter of the management of our Treasury, Keith reported that the matter was referred to the Finance Committee. Steve FROM THE NEWSLETTER EDITOR Elaine Marshall Over the last couple of years, I have met many of you. Looking at the circulation list, there are a lot that I haven't had the pleasure of meeting. I am the new IARPE Newsletter Editor. As I see it, there are two reasons for this newsletter. The first is to keep the accelerator health physics community informed of Accelerator Section activities. That would explain the officers' reports. The second is to communicate relevant information on operational accelerator health physics issues -- the stuff that we call each other about and ask "How do you do that at your facility?" and the research that our colleagues are doing. To that end, if anyone would like to see something included or has comments about what is included, let me know (emarshall@fnal.gov). I would also hope that each of you pass the newsletter on to one of your co-workers. You can see the end of this issue for information on how to subscribe and also to update your subscription. There are a number of individuals with outdated e:mail addresses or e:mail addresses that differ from those maintained on the Accelerator Section list. Elaine NEWS FROM JEFFERSON LAB Scott Schwahn RadCon activities at Jefferson Lab are really pretty stable right now. After the successful world-record breaking first attempt to produce beam at the free electron laser (FEL)(see last Jefferson Lab contribution for details), we once again doubled the light output, again breaking our own world record. We are hoping that by October, we will produce a kilowatt light output. This effort has produced quite a ripple of excitement among the FEL community and among industrial users who would like to use a high-powered, efficient FEL for mostly materials processing. The FEL facility has produced little new RadCon concerns, since it runs at less than 50 MeV at the moment, and we have had plenty of experience in this energy range when we began commissioning the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) about 10 years ago. The biggest problem in the facility at this point is streaming of radiation up penetrations into the RF gallery above. The whole RF gallery is posted as a Radiologically Controlled Area, with the areas immediately above the penetrations posted as Radiation Areas. We will likely fill some of the penetrations with our standard solution of pea gravel, as we have with the penetrations above the CEBAF. Further calculations should confirm our estimates of the shielding requirements. We need also to take empirical measurements with the machine running so we can get a good idea about how the radiation scatters up these penetrations, which are different in size and shape from the ones above the CEBAF. We are in a period of unusually lower concern with respect to the CEBAF. We have experiments running in Hall B, which is always low current (tens of nanoamps), and Hall C, which is usually high current (~100-200 microamps), but which will be running typically in the microamp range for the rest of the year. Hall A is preparing for a future experiment. We are also preparing for our biannual external audit. What fun to be had by all! FOURTH DOE INTERCOMPARISON OF HIGH ENERGY NEUTRON PERSONNEL DOSIMETERS Joe McDonald Dosimeters are now being sent to participants in the fourth DOE intercomparison of high-energy personnel dosimeters. The dosimeters have just returned from CERN, where they were exposed to high-energy neutrons generated at the CERN reference radiation facility. Hadrons with momenta of 120-205 GeV/c are steered into a copper target. The radiation produced at 90 degrees to the beam line passes through concrete shielding. The irradiation locations are above the shielding blocks, and the dose equivalent at various points has been measured using a tissue-equivalent proportional counter (HANDI) [1]. The neutron energy spectrum at the reference irradiation locations is strongly peaked at about 100 MeV. Although this energy spectrum of the CERN neutron field is obviously not identical to the spectra of stray neutrons found at every DOE accelerator, it has been well characterized and it is available for use by outside investigators. This reference field has been used for a previous DOE intercomparison reported in the proceedings of the IRPA9 meeting, held in Vienna in 1996 [2]. Two earlier intercomparisons were performed at the University of Washington cyclotron facility by PNNL. The purpose of these intercomparisons is to demonstrate the degree of consistency among dosimetry systems in DOE accelerator facilities. It is not currently possible to perform a proficiency test similar to those used in the DOELAP program because there is no national, or international, standard radiation source for high-energy neutrons. Therefore, it is not possible to compare measurements to a conventional true value for dose equivalent. An approach that might be worth considering has been used by medical physicists for many years. Calibrations for measurements in high energy bremsstrahlung fields generated with electron linacs, and used for cancer radiation therapy, are based on 60Co gamma-rays. NIST and the secondary calibration laboratories calibrate ionization chambers using 60Co sources, and then conversion coefficients are applied to yield the calibration that is appropriate to photons of 10 or 20 MeV. It might be worth thinking about calibrations of neutron instruments that could be performed using 252Cf and conversion coefficients. If you have suggestions for this type of an approach, I would appreciate your comments (joe.mcdonald@pnl.gov ). References [1] Kunz, A.W., Pihet, P., Arend, E. and Menzel, H.G. An Easy- to-Operate Portable Pulse-Height Analysis System for Area Monitoring with a TEPC in Radiation Protection. Nucl. Instrum. Meth. A299, 696-701 (1990). [2] McDonald, J.C., Akabani, G.K., Loesch, R.M., Hoefert, M. and Vaerman, C. Intercomparison of Personal Dosimeters Used in U.S. Department of Energy Accelerator Facilities. In: Proc. International Congress on Radiation Protection, Vienna, (1996), 4, 600-604. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES At CERN CERN's Radiation Protection Group is looking for an Associate from a non-membered state of CERN to work on radiation issues of the LHC 7TeV proton accelerator as there are: activation of material (air, water, construction material), doses to the environment, dose rates from induced radioactivity. Notions of MC- calculations would be useful. The post is for a duration of one year and generally appreciated by those looking for a sabbatical. For details of CERN's Associate program look into CERN's WEBpage or contact me [Manfred Hoefert ] directly. All applications should be in by 6 October 1998 even if some of the required references are still missing. Sorry for the short delay but the original candidate had to resign and we are looking for a new person. At Fermilab Technician II.... Under the direction of Beams Division ES&H staff members, this individual will be expected to perform contamination surveys, beam-off residual activation surveys, inspections and oversight related to the Fermilab Radiological Control Manual, and the Beams Division radiological controls program. This will include monitoring for proper labeling, storage and handling techniques of radioactive materials via audits and area tours as well as workplace exposure investigations. It will also involve supervising work the radioactive materials and tasks in radioactive environments. This individual will be expected to carryout the BD Radioactive Waste program, the BD Snoop program, and other programs as necessary. Person will also be expected to participate in spill response emergencies and clean-up activities. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: This individual will perform surveys and sampling year-round in outdoor and indoor environments including radiation and high radiation areas. This position requires heavy lifting, climbing stairs, ladders and earth berms, as well as sitting or standing for extended periods of time. Must be able to pass Fermilab physical requirements for ODH and confined space work and be able to legally operate passenger vehicles. Must possess good written and oral communication skills and be able to communicate with all levels of division personnel. Job will require some shift work and occasional emergency call-in. This individual should possess certification in one of the following areas or demonstrate equivalency: Radiological Control Technician at DOE facility; ELT or LELT in the U.S. Navy Nuclear Power Program; Health Physics Technician at a commercial nuclear power plant; or a degree in Health Physics, Radiation Safety or related field with at least two years of operational health physics experience. Previous experience should include radioactive waste handling operations, familiarity with and understanding of general radcon principles and techniques; and analyzing and solving problems of a radiological nature. Successful candidate must be a self-starter with good problem solving and communication skills. Proficiency in the use of Macintosh computers and related software is a plus. Candidates for position #980091 or #980093 should submit a resume with salary history to: clitner@fnal.gov Engineering Physicist I.... The duties will include participation at all levels in a broad array of health physics and related activities pertinent to the radiation protection program of a high energy particle accelerator laboratory. In addition, candidate will participate in the continued development of this program in its technical administrative and compliance aspects. The selected individual will also participate in oversight and self-assessment activities. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The essential functions include the evaluation and development of the radiation safety program, support of internal and external dosimetry programs, the conduct of radiological measurements, possible participation in Fermilab's radiological training program, and/or related assigned duties in support of Fermilab's integrated safety management program. The selected individual must be willing and able to qualify as a radiological worker and be willing to work with radioactive materials in radiological areas. The individual selected will work in accelerator tunnels, experimental enclosures and outdoor areas sitewide. This includes the ability to climb ladders and stairs and work outdoors. The individual must be able to be certified for entry into ODH areas. The person must be available for occasional emergency call-ins and nonstandard work hours and must be legally able to drive a passenger car or light truck. A baccalaureate degree in health physics, physics, or related field with two or more full-time equivalent years of health physics related experience, or a Masters Degree in health physics or closely related discipline is required. Complete or partial certification by the American Board of Health Physics, and/or relevant work experience at an accelerator facility, are considered to be highly desirable additional qualifications. The selected individual must have working experience with personal computers and must be able to demonstrate good analytical skills. Other computer-related experience such as programming and/or database usage is highly desirable. The ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing is required. A good working knowledge of radiation protection regulations (DOE, state, or USNRC) is highly desirable. The selected individual must be able to work with a minimum of supervision as a member of a team. Candidates for position #980127 should submit a resume with salary history to: clitner@fnal.gov SHORT COURSES The US Particle Accelerator School provides educational programs in the field of beams and their associated accelerator technologies not otherwise available to the community of science and technology. It promotes the development and publication of advanced technology textbooks and conducts graduate and undergraduate level courses. In January 1999, the school will hold a session at Vanderbilt University. As part of this session, a course entitled "Radiation Physics, Regulation, and Management" and will be taught by Don Cossairt and Vernon Cupps of Fermilab. This course may be of interest to those who wish to improve their knowledge of accelerator radiation protection. The course description is as follows: "Radiation physics for personnel and environmental protection at accelerators will be presented in this course. The composition of accelerator radiation fields for electron, proton, and ion accelerators at all energies will be reviewed extensively. Building upon this basic information, the methods of designing radiation shielding at accelerators will be presented. Specific attention will be devoted to low-energy neutron phenomena which are found at nearly all accelerators. The production of induced radioactivity in both accelerator components and environmental media will be discussed in detail. A discussion of radiation detection instrumentation which has been found to be particularly useful in understanding accelerator radiation fields will be included. Finally, a synopsis of the program elements of a successful accelerator radiation protection program will be given. The problems which accompany the course are designed to promote understanding of the theoretical material, foster the ability to solve problems related to accelerator radiation physics, and lead to an intuitive comprehension of radiation physics at accelerators. Prerequisites: Undergraduate physical science and first-year undergraduate calculus." For further information about the USPAS, please consult it's world-wide web page: http://fnalpubs.fnal.gov/uspas/. Specific information concerning the session to be held at Vanderbilt University, including information about academic credit, cost, and how to apply can be found on the web at: http://www.indiana.edu/~uspas/programs/vanderbilt1.html. Don Cossairt [email: cossairt@fnal.gov, phone (630)840-3465 would be happy to answer questions people might have about this course. HOW TO SUBSCRIBE / UPDATE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS To add yourself to the mailing list for the IARPE Newsletter, send an e-mail message to listserv@slac.stanford.edu The body of your message should contain the following command: subscribe iarpe-l Please don't forget to update your e-mail address if you move, change jobs or just change your computing environment. The update consists in canceling the old by 'unsubscribe' and submitting a new subscription, as illustrated below: unsubscribe iarpe-l your_old_email_address subscribe iarpe-l end If the body of your message, as in this example, contains more than a single line/command, it is good practice to finish with the 'end' command, especially if your mailer adds a signature. If you experience problems with subscribing/updating, please send me an e-mail to emarshall@fnal.gov and I will do it for you.