Commercial Aircrew Radiation Dosimetry using a Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter

Abstract

As part of a continuing study on the occupational exposure of Canadian-based aircrew, a Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter (TEPC) was used to monitor this exposure on representative Canadianbased flight routes. The microdosimetric data obtained from these flights were compared to that obtained from several terrestrial sources and were used to characterize the radiation field at jet altitudes. The data showed that there is a hardening of the radiation field at latitudes close to the geomagnetic pole. In addition, the accuracy of the TEPC data was confirmed by a comparison to data from other conventional detectors.