Calculation of Radiation Dose from Protons and Neutrons to 400 MeV

Abstract

Abstract

This report is a part of a continuing reappraisal of the meaning and calculation of the dose due to high energy neutrons and protons in tissue. Estimates of such dose are given in the report of Committee IV (1953–1959) of the International Commission on Radiological Protection.(1) lf The estimates of Committee IV, based on the work of Neary and Mulvey,(2) utilized the best experimental and theoretical data which were available at that time. Within the last few years, however, a considerable amount of new information has been obtained which permits a more detailed study of interactions of high-energy neutrons or protons with tissue. Also, new techniques have been developed to describe typical histories of neutrons or protons within a tissue phantom. In this report, revised estimates of dose and dose equivalent in tissue are given for neutrons and protons with energies up to 400 MeV.