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Answer to Question #1672 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"Category: Doses and Dose Calculations — Basic dose information, dose quantities, units The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field: Q
What is the "whole body dose" and how is it calculated?
A
The "whole body dose" is the total energy absorbed by the body, divided by its total mass. This is a fairly meaningful quantity if the whole body is irradiated in a more or less uniform manner. If the energy deposition is localized, however, taking the energy deposited in a small mass of tissue and dividing by the mass of the whole body (usually assumed to be about 70 kg) produces a number that may have little meaning biologically. Whole-body dose is often reported for both internal and external types of radiation exposure, but it is sometimes not the quantity of most interest to radiation protection, so it should be used with caution.
Michael G. Stabin, PhD, CHP
Answer posted on 11 February 2002. The information and material posted on this website is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Website. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.
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