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iation Safety Officer Course Module 1.5 – Radiation Quantities and Units
OVERVIEW
Personal dosimetry involves the measurement of the amount of radiation dose
an individual receives. Dosimetry is based on an understanding of the
mechanisms by which various ionizing radiations transfer energy to the matter
with which they interact and the effects this transfer has on the medium. For
radiation protection in particular, it is the amount of energy which is deposited in
human tissue and the effect this may have on the human body which is of
importance. In this module you will learn how operational dosimetric quantities
can be measured and how they relate to the dose limits specified by the ICRP.
Personnel working with ionizing radiation may be exposed to sources both
inside and outside their bodies. You will also learn in this module how personal
doses from internal and external radiations may be assessed, and the problems
associated with making accurate dose assessments. You should then realize
the importance of controlling the levels of radiation to prevent or limit the
exposure.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
When you have completed this module you will be able to do the following:
1) State the quantities and units used in dosimetry and classify these
quantities into radiometric and dosimetric quantities.
2) Convert between SI and non-SI dose units.
3) Apply radiation weighting factors to convert between absorbed dose and
equivalent dose.
4) Apply tissue weighting factors to convert between equivalent dose and
effective dose.
5) Distinguish between the operational quantities of ambient dose equivalent,
directional dose equivalent and personal dose equivalent for external
radiation dose.
6) State the depths at which personal dose equivalents are measured for
weakly penetrating radiation to the skin and the eye, and for strongly
penetrating radiation.
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre – Biomedical Physics Department Page 1
OVERVIEW
Personal dosimetry involves the measurement of the amount of radiation dose
an individual receives. Dosimetry is based on an understanding of the
mechanisms by which various ionizing radiations transfer energy to the matter
with which they interact and the effects this transfer has on the medium. For
radiation protection in particular, it is the amount of energy which is deposited in
human tissue and the effect this may have on the human body which is of
importance. In this module you will learn how operational dosimetric quantities
can be measured and how they relate to the dose limits specified by the ICRP.
Personnel working with ionizing radiation may be exposed to sources both
inside and outside their bodies. You will also learn in this module how personal
doses from internal and external radiations may be assessed, and the problems
associated with making accurate dose assessments. You should then realize
the importance of controlling the levels of radiation to prevent or limit the
exposure.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
When you have completed this module you will be able to do the following:
1) State the quantities and units used in dosimetry and classify these
quantities into radiometric and dosimetric quantities.
2) Convert between SI and non-SI dose units.
3) Apply radiation weighting factors to convert between absorbed dose and
equivalent dose.
4) Apply tissue weighting factors to convert between equivalent dose and
effective dose.
5) Distinguish between the operational quantities of ambient dose equivalent,
directional dose equivalent and personal dose equivalent for external
radiation dose.
6) State the depths at which personal dose equivalents are measured for
weakly penetrating radiation to the skin and the eye, and for strongly
penetrating radiation.
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre – Biomedical Physics Department Page 1
