The Confusing World of Radiation Dosimetry - 9444

This paper reviews the different methods for calculating radiation doses to workers and the public that are either in use in the United States today or under consideration, with particular emphasis on methods for determining internal doses following intake of radionuclides. Internal dose methods range from critical organ dose, as determined using Publication 2 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), published in 1959, to the most recent method for determining effective dose, as found in ICRP Publication 103, published in 2008. Any change in radiation dosimetry methodology can change the dose of record for an individual, particularly when considering intakes of radionuclides. Updating the dosimetry method used in the U.S. would also affect dose-based compliance calculations. Calculations using the historic and current dosimetry methods of the ICRP are presented to illustrate how the relationship between activity concentration and dose changes for a number of important radionuclides and exposure pathways. DISCLAIMER The opinions expressed in this paper are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.