Wipe testing of sealed radiation sources using a radiation protection assistant robot

Abstract

Sealed radiation sources are commonly used in different research institutes, industries, and hospitals. The sources of various strengths are manufactured in different sizes and shapes. It is a regulatory requirement that these sources must be monitored frequently for their integrity and to avoid any radiological contamination hazard. Mainly, a wipe test is recommended for the contamination detection due to the leakage of sealed radiation sources. A radiation protection assistant robot has been fabricated to execute different tasks in a hazardous radiation environment. In this study, the robot was used to conduct the wipe test of five sealed radiation sources. The sealed radiation sources were tested safely and securely without giving any radiation dose to the radiation worker. The radiation doses received by the robot gripper and waist during the wipe test were 3.4 Gy and 208.9 mGy, respectively.