[ RadSafe ] Fukushima beta radiation burns

[roseb at gdls.com]

I had similar thoughts regarding the clarity and consistency (overall
completeness and accuracy) of the dose information provided by the media.

If the equivalent dose [H(T)] to the skin of the workers' extremities
(lower legs or ankles) was 170 mSv to 180 mSv (0.170 to 0.180 Gy), the
doses are within the ICRP 60 and NCRP 116 dose limits (500 mSv annual
equivalent) and there should not be any observable effects or injury to the
skin (see Cutaneous Radiation Injury: Fact Sheet for Physicians,
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/pdf/criphysicianfactsheet.pdf )

I agree with Cary (Friday, March 25, 2011 1:28 PM) and GQ (Friday, March
25, 2011 21:34:16 CDT) regarding the possibility of chemogenic causes for
the skin burns.  If there were or are observable symptoms of burns to the
skin of the workers' lower legs, and if the radiation dose information is
correct, the cause of the symptoms or injuries might be chemogenic (i.e.
any information of the pH or other chemistry of the water in the
containment) as opposed to radiogenic (caused by beta emitting nuclides in
water in containment).

Henry

Boyd H. Rose, CM, CIH, CHMM
Senior Safety and Environmental Engineering Specialist
Corporate Radiation Safety Officer
General Dynamics Land Systems
38500 Mound Road
Mail Zone 436-10-75
Sterling Heights, MI 482310-3260
Tel: 586 825 4503
Fax: 586 825 4015
E-mail: roseb at gdls.com




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[ RadSafe ] Fukushima beta radiation burns
Perle, Sandy SPerle at mirion.com
Fri Mar 25 15:52:45 CDT 2011

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Thanks Cary,

Since the information we receive from news postings isn't always clear and
consistent, if this is simply an exposure to the extremities, this is well
within the regulatory limits we have here in the USA (perhaps in other
Countries as well, that being 500 mSv (50 Rads)  to each individual
extremity, including each hand and each foot area.

Therefore, the 170 mSv doesn't appear to be too high.

Regards,

Sandy

-----------------------------------
Sander C. Perle
President
Mirion Technologies
Dosimetry Services Division
2652 McGaw Avenue
Irvine, CA 92614

+1 (949) 296-2306 (Office)
+1 (949) 296-1130 (Fax)

Mirion Technologies: http://www.mirion.com/




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