Elham Edalatkhah - Radiation Applications Research School‎, ‎Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute‎, ‎۱۴۱۵۵-۱۳۳۹‎, ‎Tehran‎, ‎Iran
Mahsa Sedighi - Physics Department, Faculty of Science, University of Guilan‎, Rasht, ‎Iran
Payvand Taherparvar - Physics Department, Faculty of Science, University of Guilan‎, Rasht, ‎Iran

Gamma radiation indicators are appropriate tools for monitoring visually whether or not the irradiation process has been carried out properly. Among chemical radiation indicators available worldwide, a few are suitable for monitoring low dose ranges (especially for blood irradiation, below ۵۰ Gy). Addressing this scope, PVA-Fricke gel was proposed in this work. Irradiation of the prepared PVA-Fricke gel samples was performed by Co-۶۰ gamma cell unit up to a dose of ۸۰ Gy. Color change of the samples was observed from orange to purple proportional to increasing absorbed dose. Prepared samples were divided into three groups, kept at different environmental conditions, to investigate stability of the gel against temperature and light. Results revealed that the irradiated samples kept at dark and refrigerator were stable for seven days. Optical absorbance measurement of the samples also estimated pre- and post-irradiation color stability. The gel can be easily used to identify processed and unprocessed products in blood irradiation. Although the gel is designed to be a qualitative indicator, it is also a good quantitative dosimeter for gamma rays.

Chemical radiation indicators, Fricke solution, PVA gelling agent, Optical absorbance, Gamma exposure, Blood irradiation