Organ dose-rate calculations for small mammals at Maralinga, the Nevada Test Site, Hanford and Fukushima: a comparison of eelipsoidal and voxelized dosimetric methodologies

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dc.contributor.authorCaffrey, EAen_AU
dc.contributor.authorJohansen, MPen_AU
dc.contributor.authorHigley, KAen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2017-05-11T02:23:02Zen_AU
dc.date.available2017-05-11T02:23:02Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2015-09-28en_AU
dc.date.statistics2017-05-11en_AU
dc.description.abstractRadiological dosimetry for nonhuman biota typically relies on calculations that utilize the Monte Carlo simulations of simple, ellipsoidal geometries with internal radioactivity distributed homogeneously throughout. In this manner it is quick and easy to estimate whole-body dose rates to biota. Voxel models are detailed anatomical phantoms that were first used for calculating radiation dose to humans, which are now being extended to nonhuman biota dose calculations. However, if simple ellipsoidal models provide conservative dose-rate estimates, then the additional labor involved in creating voxel models may be unnecessary for most scenarios. Here we show that the ellipsoidal method provides conservative estimates of organ dose rates to small mammals. Organ dose rates were calculated for environmental source terms from Maralinga, the Nevada Test Site, Hanford and Fukushima using both the ellipsoidal and voxel techniques, and in all cases the ellipsoidal method yielded more conservative dose rates by factors of 1.2–1.4 for photons and 5.3 for beta particles. Dose rates for alpha-emitting radionuclides are identical for each method as full energy absorption in source tissue is assumed. The voxel procedure includes contributions to dose from organ-to-organ irradiation (shown here to comprise 2–50% of total dose from photons and 0–93% of total dose from beta particles) that is not specifically quantified in the ellipsoidal approach. Overall, the voxel models provide robust dosimetry for the nonhuman mammals considered in this study, and though the level of detail is likely extraneous to demonstrating regulatory compliance today, voxel models may nevertheless be advantageous in resolving ongoing questions regarding the effects of ionizing radiation on wildlife. © 2020 BioOneen_AU
dc.identifier.citationCaffrey, E. A., Johansen, M. P., & Higley, K. A. (2015). Organ dose-rate calculations for small mammals at Maralinga, the Nevada Test Site, Hanford and Fukushima: a comparison of eelipsoidal and voxelized dosimetric methodologies. Radiation Research, 184(4), 433-441. doi:10.1667/RR14162.1en_AU
dc.identifier.govdoc8203en_AU
dc.identifier.issn1938-5404en_AU
dc.identifier.issue4en_AU
dc.identifier.journaltitleRadiation Researchen_AU
dc.identifier.pagination433-441en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1667/RR14162.1en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/8692en_AU
dc.identifier.volume184en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherBioOneen_AU
dc.subjectMonte Carlo Methoden_AU
dc.subjectEllipsometryen_AU
dc.subjectOrgansen_AU
dc.subjectDosimetryen_AU
dc.subjectDose ratesen_AU
dc.subjectMammalsen_AU
dc.titleOrgan dose-rate calculations for small mammals at Maralinga, the Nevada Test Site, Hanford and Fukushima: a comparison of eelipsoidal and voxelized dosimetric methodologiesen_AU
dc.typeJournal Articleen_AU
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