Dose assessment of Betatron electron beam: a key component of safe and secure industrial operations

Abstract

For diverse industrial operations, the safety level of the electron beam generated by the Betatron has paramount significance, wherein the hazardous radiation dose requires constant monitoring and accurate evaluation. Human safety is the primary concern in using X-rays with high energy levels ranging from 3 to 20 MV for rapidly screening cargo containers and vehicles for security reasons. Considering these factors, we evaluated the radiation dosage associated with a typical 7.5 MV X-ray Betatron that is commonly used for full scanning of cargo and drivers in cargo security. The dose levels for organ equivalent, scanner boundary, and cargo were measured using TLD-100™ rod-type dosimeters, and RadEye™ B20-ER alpha-beta-gamma survey meter. The results indicated that the dose level measured at the scanner boundary while the X-ray was operating for 12 s fell within the standard range of 0.015–0.295 μSv/h that can be realistically achieved in public areas. Additionally, it was observed that this level was below the control limit of 0.5 μSv/h. Moreover, the evaluation of organ dose levels in the Anthropomorphic Alderson Radiation Therapy phantom revealed that the equivalent dose assessments for organs such as the gonads, brain (left and right), and lens (left and right) ranged from 0.01 to 0.08 mSv. This range of values is deemed acceptable for public exposure since it is below the annual dose limit of 1 mSv. It has been determined that the Betatron electron beam, utilized for full cargo security scans, is highly secure even for drivers. This disclosure could serve as a foundation for systematically evaluating dosage and disseminating information to increase public awareness and ensure environmental safety.