Calculate the committed effective dose after inhalation by a worker of 8 MBq P-32 aerosol. After particle size analysis, the particle size (AMAD) turns out to be 10 µm. How does this affect the previous calculation? Which organ receives the highest equivalent dose?

P-32 may occur in the form of type F or type M aerosols. If the absorption type is not known, it is recommended to assume type M. This should be done also in this exercise. If the particle size is not known, the value of 5 µm AMAD should be used for dose assessment.

For calculation of the committed effective dose after inhalation of 8 MBq P-32 with these assumptions you have to multiply the respective dose coefficient 2,90E-09 Sv/Bq by 8E06 Bq, this resulting in 2,32E-02 Sv = 23,2 mSv.

For the particle size 10 µm AMAD the respective dose coefficient is 1,9E-09 and thus the resulting committed effective dose is 1,52E-02 Sv = 15,2 mSv.

For both particle sizes the lung receives the highest equivalent dose.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hans Richard Doerfel

IDEA System GmbH, Am Burgweg 4, D-76227 Karlsruhe, Germany.

E-Mail: info@idea-system.com