What happens to the DLR after a specified time period?

The correct response indicates that the dosimetry badge, or DLR (Dosimetry List Readout), is exchanged for a new one after a specified time period. This practice is essential for accurately monitoring radiation exposure levels. Regularly exchanging DLRs ensures that readings are current and relevant, reflecting the most recent exposure conditions.

The process often involves sending the used badge back to a dosimetry service where it is analyzed, and a new badge is subsequently issued to the worker. This systematic exchange helps maintain an up-to-date record of an individual’s exposure, which is crucial for health and safety regulations in environments where radiation is present.

In contrast, simply discarding the DLR without analysis would eliminate valuable health data that is critical for assessing long-term exposure and ensuring worker safety. Recording it in an employee's health file, while important, does not directly address the need for routine exchange to reflect current exposure levels. Retaining the DLR permanently with the worker would prevent timely updates and could lead to inaccuracies in monitoring exposure over time. Thus, exchanging the DLR aligns best with established safety protocols in radiation work.