Biological Effects of radiation
The ionization caused by radiation passing through a living tissue can destroy organic molecules
the effect on health depends on:
- amount of radiation absorbed by the living tissue
- biological effects associated with this absorption
rad : (radiation absorbed dose)--> amount of energy
deposited in the material; 1 rad = 0.01 J/kg
rem: (radiation equivalent in mammals) --> reflects the
biological effects of radiation; different type of radiation have different
1 rad ? radiation ? 1.7 rem exposure; 1 rad of photons ? 1 rem
1 rad ? radiation ? 20 rem exposure; 1 rad of n or p ? 10 rem
maximum recommended occupational dose: 5 rem/year
maximum recommended rate for general public: 0.5 rem/year