A Suggested Parameter Based Upon RBE for Special Applications in Personal Neutron Dosimetry

• Published in: Radiation protection dosimetry 1999-01, Vol.83 (4), p.317-322
• Main Author: GIBSON, J. A. B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied microbiology; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Microbiology; Miscellaneous
• ISSN: 0144-8420; 1742-3406
• DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.rpd.a032687

The purpose of this paper is to consider the practical applications of the BCRU recommendation on the use of RBE values for the retrospective calculation of risk to specific organs as a result of neutron irradiation. A new parameter, the Organ RBE Dose Equivalent, is proposed. This new parameter incorporates the recommendations of the NRPB relating to the probability of harm caused by exposure to neutrons. The use of past and current operational quantities to measure the Organ RBE Dose Equivalent is considered and it is recommended that, for specific purposes such as assessing claims for compensation, in litigation and in certain epidemiological studies involving neutron radiation: (1) The appropriate parameter, incorporating the recommendations of the NRPB, is the Organ RBE Dose Equivalent, HT(RBE), based upon RBE of 10 for the charged-particle component of dose and RBE = 1 for the photon component. (2) If there is insufficient information to calculate HT(RBE) in a particular case then historical measurements of the operational quantities MADE, and Hp.51(10) will give a sufficiently conservative estimate of the HT(RBE), except where there is a significant contribution from neutrons above 5 MeV. (3) For the future, the use of the new operational quantity Hp.74(10) will give a sufficiently conservative estimate of HT(RBE) if it cannot be calculated directly except where there is a significant contribution from neutrons above 10 MeV. (4) Where high energy neutrons are known to be present, more detailed calculations to estimate the HT(RBE) may be required. These recommendations should not be applied to measurements made for legislative purposes.