Comparative performance testing of Harshaw 8800 and KDT-02M TLD systems

The Soviet-produced KDT-02M system, which is still widely used for dosimetric monitoring in countries of the former Soviet Union, was compared with the Harshaw 8800 system. The comparison consisted of two stages. In the first stage workplace radiation fields were simulated in the framework of the IAEA intercomparison. In the second stage the two systems were compared when used in parallel by the personnel of Chernobyl Object 'Shelter'. Although in the first stage the Harshaw 8800 demonstrated better performance for various irradiation conditions, an obsolete KDT-02M also proved compliance with the basic requirements to the accuracy of individual dosimetric monitoring. In the second stage, more than 1200 paired measurements were performed, revealing good (r = 0.95) correlation between readouts of both systems. Deviation of the slope of the regression line may be adjusted by proper calibration. Although the KDT-02M system demonstrated adequate results for measurement of deep dose equivalent, its inability to determine shallow dose equivalent calls for its replacement with modern thermoluminesence dosemeters possessing this feature.