Dose to the basal layer of the skin from 125I skin contamination

The dose rate to the basal layer of the skin from 125I contamination can be significantly underestimated if the contamination is assumed to remain on the skin, and not penetrate into the skin. The dose to basal cells has been calculated for two assumed distributions of 125I with depth in skin and for four basal cell layer depths between 40 and 300 μm. These results give a maximum cell basal cell dose when the 125I penetration is about twice the basal cell layer depth. This dose may be the limiting dose (as opposed to thyroid dose) in situations where skin contamination can occur. A limit on skin contamination that will ensure the basal cell dose will not exceed 500 mSv.y-1 is recommended. (author)