The shape of the OSL decay curve and the effect of longer time delays between accidental exposure and readout of alumina-rich electronic components from portable electronic devices are investigated. The OSL decay curve follows a hyperbolic decay function, which is interpreted as an approximation of several closely spaced or even a continuous distribution of single trap OSL decay functions. Longer time delays between exposure and readout lead to a rising dose vs. OSL integration time plot, when applying a low preheat. Supplementary TL investigations indicate a distribution in activation energies for the main dosimetric (190 degrees C) peak and that the lower temperature part could fade with a higher rate than the higher temperature part. Consequences for the applied preheat treatment prior to dose measurement are discussed.