Radiation Risk and Dose Calculation Flashcards
Describe the ICRU Sphere.
The ICRU sphere is 0.3 m in diameter with a density of 1000 kg m−3 and a mass composition equivalent to tissue of 76.2% oxygen, 11.1% carbon, 10.1% hydrogen and 2.6% nitrogen. The field is ‘expanded’ so that it encompasses the sphere and ‘aligned’ so the quantity is independent of the angular distribution of the radiation field. In effect this defines an instrument with a uniform isotropic response.
What is the Ambient Dose Equivalent (H*(10))?
This is the absorbed dose which would be generated in the associated oriented and expanded radiation field at a depth of 10 mm on the radius of the ICRU sphere which is oriented opposite to the direction of incident radiation.
An oriented and expanded radiation field is an idealised radiation field which is expanded and in which the radiation is additionally oriented in one direction.
When would H’(0.07) be used?
For low energy (i.e. Mammography) X-Rays.
How are H*(10) and H’(0.07) converted into Personal Dose equivalences (Hp(10), Hp(0.07))?
Corrected for anticipated backscatter.
How is the Effective Dose Equivalent Defined?
The average absorbed dose to each organ multiplied by its radio-sensitivity.
How is absorbed dose converted into equivalent dose?
Multiplied by radiation weighting factor.
What are the radiation weighting factors according to ICRP-103?
Photons and Electrons (All Energies) - 1
Neutrons (All energies) - Continuous function bewteen 2 and 20.
Protons (>20MeV) - 2
Alpha particles, fission fragments, heay nulcei - 20
What are the radiation weighting factors according to ICRP-60?
Photons and Electrons (All Energies) - 1
Neutrons (20MeV) - 5
Protons (>20MeV) - 5
Alpha particles, fission fragments, heay nulcei - 20
How do stochastic effects change with dose?
Probability of effect is proportional to dose, no threshold.
Evidence from Hiroshima/Nagasaki/Chernobyl survivors, early radiation workers, radium dial painters, Uranium miners.
How do deterministic effects change with dose?
No effect below threshold dose.
Severity of effect increases with dose above threshold.
In ICRP-103, which tissues/organs have a Tissue Weighting Factor of 0.12?
Red bone marrow Colon Lung Stomach Breast Remainder of organs not mentioned. (adrenals, small intestine, kidney, muscle, pancreas, spleen, thymus, uterus, extrathoracic region, gall bladder, heart, lymph nodes, oral mucosa, prostate, cervix)
In ICRP-103, which tissues/organs have a Tissue Weighting Factor of 0.04?
Bladder
Liver
Oesophagus
Thyroid
In ICRP-103, which tissues/organs have a Tissue Weighting Factor of 0.08?
Gonads
In ICRP-103, which tissues/organs have a Tissue Weighting Factor of 0.01?
Skin
Bone surface
Brain
Salivary glands
What are the four components that the Tissue weighting factor depends on?
Probability of fatal cancer.
Probability of severe genetic effects
Relative length of life lost
Weighted probability of non-fatal cancer.