On the application of a radiation weighting factor for alpha particles in protection of non-human biota

Abstract

Radiation protection standards for non-human biota have been expressed in terms of absorbed dose. In calculating dose to biota, some investigators have modified the absorbed dose due to alpha particles by a factor of 20, based on the radiation weighting factor used in protection of humans, to account for the greater effectiveness of these radiations in producing biological damage. However, this value is intended to apply to stochastic health effects, primarily cancers, whereas deterministic effects have been the primary concern in protection of biota. Based on an analysis by the International Commission on Radiological Protection, the deterministic radiation weighting factor for alpha particles appears to lie in the range of about 5-10. Given the potential importance of this weighting factor in determining allowable levels of alpha-emitting radionuclides in the environment, regulatory authorities must be impressed with the need to develop an appropriate value for use in protection of biota. There also is a need to express doses and dose limits for biota in terms of a quantity other than absorbed dose and to develop an appropriate name for the biologically significant dose to biota.