Which of the following statements about film badges is true?

Which of the following statements about film badges is true?

• A. They provide real-time readouts.
• B. They measure dose using metal and plastic filters.
• C. They require no energy filters.
• D. They cannot be used for personnel monitoring.

Answer: (B)

Film badges measure the accumulated radiation dose by letting a piece of photographic film be exposed through a set of filters, including metal and plastic ones. After the film is developed, the darkness (optical density) of the film correlates with how much radiation was received. The filters shape the energy response so the badge can account for different radiation energies and give a more accurate dose estimate over a range of energies. Because the reading comes from developing the film, the badge does not provide a real-time readout. It is specifically used for personnel monitoring over a work period. The other statements don’t fit: real-time readouts aren’t provided, energy filters are needed to interpret the dose, and film badges are indeed used for personnel monitoring.

Film badges measure the accumulated radiation dose by letting a piece of photographic film be exposed through a set of filters, including metal and plastic ones. After the film is developed, the darkness (optical density) of the film correlates with how much radiation was received. The filters shape the energy response so the badge can account for different radiation energies and give a more accurate dose estimate over a range of energies. Because the reading comes from developing the film, the badge does not provide a real-time readout. It is specifically used for personnel monitoring over a work period. The other statements don’t fit: real-time readouts aren’t provided, energy filters are needed to interpret the dose, and film badges are indeed used for personnel monitoring.