Question

A plant worker accidentally breathes some stored gaseous tritium, a beta emitter with maximum particle energy of 0.0186 MeV. The energy absorbed by the lungs, which have a total weight of l kg, is 4 x 10^-3 J. How many milli-rems dose equivalent was received?

Answer 1

Answer:

400 milli-rems

Solution:

As per the question;

Maximum energy of particle, $E_{m} = 0.0186\ MeV$

Weight, w = 1 kg

Energy absorbed, E = $4\times 10^{- 3}\ J$

Now,

Equivalent dose is given by:

$D_{eq} = \frac{E}{w} =\frac{4\times 10^{- 3}}{1} = 4\times 10^{- 3}\ J/kg$

1 Gy = 1 J/kg

Also,

1 Gy = $1\times 10^{5}\ milli-rems$

Therefore,

Dose equivalent in milli-rems is given by:

$D_{eq} = 4\times 10^{- 3}\times 1\times 10^{5} = 400\ milli-rems$