Thin Layer a-Al2O3:C Beta Dosemeters for the Assessment of Current Dose Rate in Teeth due to 90Sr Intake and Comparison with Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Dosimetry

The use of thin-layer a-Al<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf>:C thermoluminescence detectors (TLDs) for the assessment of current beta dose rate in human teeth due to 90Sr intake is investigated. The teeth used in this study were collected from members of the Techa river population who were exposed to radiation as a result of releases of the Mayak plutonium production facilities (Southern Urals-Russia) between 1949 and 1956. The beta dose rates from different parts of the tooth (enamel, crown dentine, and root) were determined by storing the detectors over the samples in a shielded environment. The cumulative dose measured by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) in different dental tissues is found to be proportional to the current dose rate obtained from a-Al<inf>2</inf>O<inf>3</inf>:C thermoluminescence dosemeters. The retention of 90Sr in various parts of the teeth is discussed.