Optimization of a radiophotoluminescent glass dosemeter for occupational eye lens dosimetry in interventional radiology/cardiology

Hospital based workers that perform interventional radiology are at risk of reaching the eye lens dose limit of 20 mSv/y. These workers are exposed to the radiation scattered by the patient, which creates a complex field, with low radiation energy reaching the eyes of the medical staff from wide angles. Therefore, the dosemeter used in the assessment of the eye lens dose of interventional radiologists needs to respond accurately in such conditions. In this study, the angular response of a commercially available radiophotoluminescent glass dosemeter, GD-352M, was optimized via Monte Carlo simulations, aiming at its use as eye lens dosemeter in interventional radiology. The improved dosemeter was manufactured and then characterized in terms of Hp(3), the quantity recommended for eye lens dosimetry. Its response was compared to the IEC 62387:2012 requirements for Hp(3) and to requirements proposed specifically for eye lens dosemeters used in interventional radiology. The improved dosemeter meets the IEC 62387:2012 requirements for energy and angular response for Hp(3) and also shows good agreement with the more strict requisites proposed for eye lens dosemeters to be used in interventional radiology.