Re: External Dose Constants for Beta Emitters

[Ninni Jacob <njacob@gsosun1.gso.uri.edu>]

There is a Rule of Thumb that is widely used
Dose Rate at 1 cm from a beta point source, neglecting self and air
absorption is: 300 rad/hr per mCi.

 According to the Rad Health Handbook(pg 52 of the 1992 edition)
This varies only slightly with beta energy.
But of course the energy will determine the range. And therefore, the low
energy beta emitters, like H-3, will not travel that far.

 Ninni Jacob
Radiation Safety Officer
University of Rhode Island