What is a dosimeter used for?

A dosimeter is a specialized device designed to measure an individual's exposure to ionizing radiation over a specific period. This is crucial in various fields, including healthcare, nuclear power, and research, where personnel may be exposed to radiation. The primary function of a dosimeter is to quantify the amount of radiation absorbed by the body, providing essential data to assess occupational exposure limits, ensure safety protocols are followed, and determine necessary protective measures.

In particular, dosimeters can track cumulative exposure, enabling monitoring of long-term trends in radiation exposure for workers, ensuring that they remain within safe exposure levels. This function is critical for protecting the health of individuals who routinely work in environments with varying radiation levels.

While the other options involve important aspects of radiation safety – such as environmental monitoring, effectiveness of shielding materials, and surface contamination detection – they do not pertain directly to the primary purpose of a dosimeter, which is explicitly focused on personal exposure measurement.