Film badges are used by radiation workers mainly because?

Film badges serve a crucial purpose in monitoring radiation exposure for workers in environments where they may be exposed to ionizing radiation. The primary reason for their use is that they provide long-term exposure records of the cumulative dose of radiation a worker has received over time. This is essential for maintaining safety and ensuring that workers do not exceed the recommended dose limits set by regulatory agencies.

Film badges work by using photographic film that darkens in response to radiation exposure. When processed, the degree of darkening corresponds to the level of radiation the worker has been exposed to, thus allowing for both immediate and retrospective evaluation of exposure levels. By accumulating data over time, film badges enable radiation safety professionals to track individual exposure history, which is invaluable for health monitoring.

While film badges do contribute to a better understanding of exposure and can help inform safety measures, their primary strength is in providing a record that reflects a worker's exposure over an extended period. This historical data can be instrumental in assessing potential health risks and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.