Just to swerve back on to my question for a minute.
Radiation Protection Technicians are telling me that the two personal contamination monitors I just passed through, do not detect gamma rays emitted from contamination on my cell phone.
The tool monitor does have this ability.
(I feel stupid that I have to defend this.)
Wow, didn't know where to start here. You received alot of informative replies.... though like stated, a little off track.
First, your statement above. The techs are wrong, the PCM and Portal will both detect gamma emitted from your cell phone. IF the origin is such that it can be detected i.e. how directional is the source, what's the energy of the source, and whether or not the phone is shielding it.
Everyone remembers stories of workers clearing the PCM with a particle or two on their person and getting caught at the portals. These particles are places and are directional in manner the these places (crevices) aide in shielding. (Under the arm pits, under the folds of 'extra' skin etc.
Clothing has nothing to do with the shielding. Directional attributes, energy and location together help.
Here's an idea.... since you and others that can't live without the feeling of that cool gadget on your hip don't have reception in the building anyway, leave the phone in your locker.
Serioulsly, most plants have a hand carried rule. If it's a hand carried item, like a clipboard, cell phone, radio, ruler, pen, paper, not pad, gloves and not a "tool" used for working in the plant, then it goes in the SAM. You don't hand carry your lanyard and badge. The idea is that the hand carried item could have been and probably was laid down somewhere, and may have picked up some lost and wondering contamination, therefore it gets to be put in the SAM.
Don't sweat it,
leave the phone outside