Dosimeter and method for using the same

A dosimeter that detects ionizing radiation, comprising:

• (a) a breakable sealed container;
• (b) a solution inside said sealed breakable container, said solution comprising a reducing agent and a chemical pH indicator for providing a detectable color change at a pH of about 3-10;
• (c) a silver salt (AgX) selected from the group consisting of silver chloride, silver bromide, silver iodide, and mixtures thereof;
• and
• (d) an air-tight dosimeter body having a transparent portion and an opaque portion, the transparent portion including a transparent chamber for receiving said sealed breakable container, the opaque portion including an opaque chamber for receiving the silver salt and a passageway that provides fluid communication between the transparent chamber and the opaque chamber.

A method for detecting ionizing radiation, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a dosimeter that detects ionizing radiation, the dosimeter comprising a breakable sealed container, a solution comprising a reducing agent inside the sealed container, granules of a silver salt (AgX) selected from the group consisting of silver chloride, silver bromide, silver iodide, and mixtures thereof, and an air-tight dosimeter body having a transparent portion and an opaque portion, the transparent portion including a transparent chamber for receiving the sealed breakable container, the opaque portion including an opaque chamber for receiving the silver emulsion and a winding passageway that separates and provides fluid communication between the transparent chamber and the opaque chamber;
• (b) exposing the dosimeter to ionizing radiation;
• (c) breaking the breakable container and allowing the solution to flow from the transparent chamber, through the winding passageway, and into the opaque chamber containing the emulsion and physically contact the emulsion;
• and
• (d) detecting any color change in the solution.

A method for detecting ionizing radiation, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a dosimeter that detects ionizing radiation, the dosimeter comprising a breakable sealed container, a solution inside the breakable sealed container comprising a reducing agent and a pH indicator for providing a detectable color change at a pH of about 3-10, granules of a silver salt (AgX) selected from the group consisting of silver chloride, silver bromide, silver iodide, and mixtures thereof, and an air-tight dosimeter body having a transparent portion and an opaque portion, the transparent portion including a transparent chamber for receiving said sealed breakable container, the opaque portion including an opaque chamber for receiving the silver emulsion and a passageway that provides fluid communication between the transparent chamber and the opaque chamber;
• (b) exposing the dosimeter to ionizing radiation;
• (c) breaking the breakable container and allowing the solution to flow from the transparent chamber, through the passageway, and to into the opaque chamber containing the emulsion and physically contact the emulsion;
• and
• (d) detecting any color change in the solution.