-GLOSSARY

Absorbed Dose:

The absorbed dose of any ionizing radiation is the energy imparted to matter

by ionizing radiation per unit mass of
irradiated material at the place of
interest. The unit of absorbed dose is
the rad.
One rad is 100 ergs/gram.
AEC:

Atomic Energy Commission.

Ci:

Abbreviation for curie.

Curie:

The guantity of a radioactive nuclide

disintegrating at the rate of 3.7x1010
atoms per second.

D:

Abbreviation for Absorbed Dose.

DE:

Abbreviation for Dose Fquivalent.

DF:

Abbreviation for Dose Distribution Factcr.

Dose Distribution

A modifying factor used in calculating
dose equivalent which accounts for nonuniform distribution of radiation.

Factor:
“ey

Dose Equivalent:

The product of absorbed dose D, quality

factor (QF), dose distribution factor (DP),

unit of dose equivalent is the ‘rem.'

EPA:
FRC:

O

~

©

the absorbed dose in rads multiplied

‘the appropriate
modifying
prop
Yang factors).

(The

uU' ¢t

and other necessary modifying factors

dose equivalent is numerically equal

%h
ne

Environmental Protection Agency. Federal Radiation Council.

The FRC has

been abolished, and its functions taken over
by EPA.
g:

Abbreviation for gram.

Half-life:

Time required for a radicactive substiznce to

lose 50 percent of its activity by
vinloacu te
«
ee
decay.
Each radionuclide has a| unlie.b i. ibs life.

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