Relation between organ and whole body doses and local doses measured by ESR for standard and realistic neutrons and photons external exposures

Full text: In the case of a radiological accident due to external exposure, the assessment of the organ and whole body doses received by the victim is a fundamental information to determine the therapeutic strategy. Two complementary dosimetric techniques based on physical means are currently used in the laboratory: Monte Carlo calculations and ESR spectrometry performed on biological materials removed from the victim. The aim of the present study is to provide data to create a tool able to provide quickly an assessment of the dose distribution in case of accidental overexposure using ESR measurements performed on one or several points of the body. The study consists in determining by calculation the relation between the dose to the organs and whole body and the dose to specific points of the body (teeth and bones) for different external exposures corresponding to classical configurations. The chosen configurations were, on the one hand, standard homogeneous exposures (ICRP 74) and, on the other hand, exposures typical of accidental situations (source in a pocket and contaminated floor). The study was performed for monoenergetic photons and neutrons, several sources (60Co, 137Cs,192lr, 252Cf and AmBe) and fission spectra. The calculations were performed using the MCNP4C2 Monte Carlo code associated with a standard adult male mathematic model which head was modified in order to contain a jaw and teeth. The tables of data corresponding to studied configurations are presented and discussed. (author)