Dosimeter

A dosimeter is any device used to measure an individual's exposure to a hazardous environment, particularly when the hazard is cumulative over long intervals of time, or one's lifetime. This article pertains to a radiation dosimeter, but other dosimeters, particularly sound dosimeters, also exist. Dosimetry is essentially how much radiation exposure you get from substances or machines that produce radiation. The science of dosimetry also deals with the effects that radiation has on the body. Most mineral specimens produce radioactivity from .5-200 mR/hr ( milliRems per hour) measured at about 1/2 inch from the specimen. To put this in perspective take a look at the chart below which shows the radiation limits set by the government for people that work with radiation ( general public dose is about 1/5 of the worker rate)