Neutron skyshine has been a significant source of environmental radiation exposure at many high-energy proton accelerators. A particularly troublesome source of skyshine neutrons has existed at Fermilab during operation of the 400-GeV high-energy physics program. This paper reports on several measurements of this source made with a DePangher precision long counter at large distances. The spatia...

The goal of this research is to determine the gamma-ray dose contribution from skyshine. In a transportation accident involving the loss of lead gamma shielding, first responders to the accident will be exposed to both direct gamma radiation streaming from the exposed spent nuclear fuel and atmospherically reflected gamma radiation. The reflected radiation is referred to as skyshine and should ...

The skyshine radiation phenomenon consists of the scattering of primary photon beams in the atmosphere above the roof of a medical linear accelerator facility, generating an additional dose at ground level in the vicinity of the treatment room. Thus, with respect to radioprotection, this situation plays an important role when the roof is designed with little shielding and there are buildings ne...

Beginning this year, AEC contractors are being required to submit dose evaluations as low as 1.7 mrem per year to the surrounding public from their installations. This small incremental dose exists within the framework of a natural background of about 130 mrem per year. Some of the pitfalls in estimating these small doses, especially with regard to skyshine, are discussed. It is shown that, for...

Background: Skyshine describes the radiation scattered by the atmosphere above a LINAC facility to a point on the ground. The aim of this study was to measure the skyshine photon dose rates from two different (9 MV and 18 MV) medical linear accelerators. Materials and Methods: The photon beam was directed upward (180° gantry position), with a maximum photon field size (40 × 40 cm2) at the isoce...