Gamma Dose to a Fetus from Internal and External Sources

Presenter Information

Lisa Stiles

Department

Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science

Research Advisor

Tsoulfanidis, Nicholas

Advisor's Department

Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to use the QAD computer code to calculate the dose received by a fetus from external and internal sources to which the mother is exposed. The changes in Chapter 10, part 20 of the Code of Federal Regulations that will be put into effect January 1, 1994, will require that radiation doses be reported not only for the whole body but to specific organs and the fetus as well. Fortunately, the computer program QAD can provide health physicists and other persons responsible for monitoring radiation exposure of individuals with an accurate, easy to use method for calculating dose rates. Dr. Nicholas Tsoulfanidis and Katherine Phillips developed a model of the human body with the combinatorial geometry capabilities of the code that was used to compute radiation exposure to organs such as the lungs, liver, eyes, and kidneys from external radiation sources. The goal of the present investigation was to extend that application into modeling the body of pregnant woman. The body model developed in reference 3 was modified following the changes during pregnancy and dose rates were calculated at many locations in the position of the fetus and at the position of a pocket dosimeter. Point sources of ⁶⁰Co, ¹³⁷Cs, and ¹³¹I, were assumed to be the radiation sources.

Document Type

Report

Presentation Date

29 Jan 1993

Recommended Citation

Stiles, Lisa, "Gamma Dose to a Fetus from Internal and External Sources" (1993). Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience Program (OURE). 108.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/oure/108