Rethinking dosimeter assignment for military radiation safety: Focusing on comparative performance of thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) and electronic personal dosimeters (EPDs) under portable x-ray exposure

Hosub Chi; Jungmi Park; Gyoungjun Choi; Kang Ku

doi:10.37944/jams.v8i1.273

Authors

Hosub Chi ROK CBRN Defense Research Institute
Jungmi Park ROK CBRN Defense Research Institute
Gyoungjun Choi ROK CBRN Defense Research Institute
Kang Ku ROK CBRN Defense Research Institute

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37944/jams.v8i1.273

Keywords:

personal dosimeter, thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD), electronic personal dosimeter (EPD), military radiation safety, portable X-ray generators

Abstract

The increasing use of portable X-ray generators in military operations—particularly for explosive detection and counter-terrorism—has highlighted the need for a radiation safety strategy tailored to field-based, low-dose environments. This study evaluates the performance of thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) and electronic personal dosimeters (EPDs) under controlled pulsed X-ray conditions using the XRS-3 generator, focusing on their sensitivity, dose-response characteristics, and operational suitability in military contexts. The results showed that while TLDs exhibited high accuracy in cumulative dose tracking, they failed to detect radiation beyond 3 meters or at low pulse counts. In contrast, EPDs—although they showed some inconsistencies in cumulative dose measurements under low-dose conditions—successfully detected radiation at all distances and pulse settings. Their ability to provide immediate feedback and detect fluctuations in real time makes them more suitable for dynamic radiation monitoring in military field environments. The study provides a solid foundation for revising current military dosimetry protocols in current military radiation safety management practices.

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Author Biographies

Hosub Chi, ROK CBRN Defense Research Institute

* (First author) ROK CBRN Defense Research Institute, Senior Research Officer for Radiological Analysis, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3918-4567

Jungmi Park, ROK CBRN Defense Research Institute

** (Co-author) ROK CBRN Defense Research Institute, Radiation Safety Researcher, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4247-732X.

Gyoungjun Choi, ROK CBRN Defense Research Institute

*** (Co-author) ROK CBRN Defense Research Institute, Radiation Safety Officer, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5243-1780.

Kang Ku, ROK CBRN Defense Research Institute

**** (Corresponding author) ROK CBRN Defense Research Institute, Head of Radiological Analysis Department, [email protected], https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8739–218X.

Chief of Radiological Analysis Branch, Radiological Analysis Branch

Ph.D. in Materials Engineering (KAIST)

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