Calculation of effective doses from intakes of radionuclides

The new ICRP 60 Recommendations (1990) define a new quantity 'effective dose' to replace the old effective dose equivalent' as introduced in ICRP Publication 26. Both the old and the new quantities are defined as a weighted sum of organ doses. However, the increase in knowledge of the effects of radiation since 1977 has allowed the new weighting factors to be refined. It is the purpose of this paper to give a concise account of the calculation of the new quantity with particular reference to remainder tissues and in the context of doses from intakes of radionuclides. (author)