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

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* 10^(- 3)\ J`

Now,

Equivalent dose is given by:

`D_(eq) = (E)/(w)  =(4* 10^(- 3))/(1) = 4* 10^(- 3)\ J/kg`

1 Gy = 1 J/kg

Also,

1 Gy =
`1* 10^(5)\ milli-rems`

Therefore,

Dose equivalent in milli-rems is given by:

`D_(eq) = 4* 10^(- 3)* 1* 10^(5) = 400\ milli-rems`