In personnel monitoring, film and TLD badges are considered what?

• A. Primary monitoring devices
• B. Secondary protection devices
• C. Shielding materials
• D. No longer used

Answer: (A)

Film badges and TLDs are the main way we track how much radiation a person has actually received. They’re worn during exposure and later read to quantify the dose over a specific period, giving an official record that regulators and the facility use to ensure workers stay within safety limits. Because their purpose is measurement and record-keeping, they’re considered the primary monitoring devices in a personnel monitoring program. They don’t themselves shield or prevent exposure—that role belongs to shielding and protective equipment—nor are they obsolete, since they continue to be used to monitor dose.