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Answer to Question #2775 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Radiation Basics — Neutrons

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

Q

Where can I find the amount of energy deposited in human tissue for a wide range of neutron energies? I have the fluxes for the energies but don't know how much each would give to the tissue.

A

As I understand your need, the information can be gotten from several sources. Reports No. 38 (1971) and 91 (1987) of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements give fluence rates with stated quality factors that deliver a maximum dose equivalent of 1 mSv in 40 hours for monoenergetic neutrons with energies from thermal to 400 MeV. A summary of this work is given in Table 12.5 on p. 363 of J.E. Turner's book, Atoms, Radiation, and Radiation Protection, 2nd Ed., John Wiley & Sons (1995).

Similar data are provided by Publication 51 of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (1987). Tables from this publication for various tissue phantoms are also given in Chapter 13 of the book by B. Shleien et al., Handbook of Health Physics and Radiological Health, 3rd Ed., Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, (1998).

James E. Turner, PhD, CHP

Answer posted on 31 July 2003. The information and material posted on this Web site 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 Web site. 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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