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Biological Effectiveness of Fast Neutrons and Accelerated Multicharged Ions for Derivation of a New Dependence of Space Radiation Quality Coefficients on Linear Energy Transfer

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Abstract

The authors present a review of new experimental data on the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of the impact on the body of fast neutrons and accelerated multicharged ions (AMIs) in small, absorbed doses of 0.01–0.5 Gy, which are allowed by modern radiation safety standards for the career of astronauts to limit the risk of delayed adverse effects. According to new radiobiological data for low doses and their rates, the literature presents higher (2–3 times) maximum values of the RBE coefficients for cytogenetic disorders that persist in the long-term period; malignant transformation of cells and the risk of developing tumors of different tissues; reduction in life expectancy; disorders of neurons in the cerebral cortex and damage to individual organs; and the degree of clouding of the lens and the formation of cataracts. Based on the analysis performed, a new dependence of quality factors on linear energy transfer is presented, from which it follows that the estimated values of equivalent doses in relation to the effects of galactic cosmic rays and fast neutrons, as well as the calculated values of the total radiation risk during the life of astronauts, will increase significantly.

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Funding

The study was carried out within the program of fundamental research of the State Scientific Center of the Russian Federation, Institute of Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, topic 65.2.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

    A. V. Shafirkin & V. A. Shurshakov

  2. Federal Medical Biophysical Center, Federal Medical Biological Agency, Moscow, Russia

    Yu. G. Grigoriev & I. B. Ushakov

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  1. A. V. Shafirkin
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  2. Yu. G. Grigoriev
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Correspondence to A. V. Shafirkin.

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Translated by A. Deryabina

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Shafirkin, A.V., Grigoriev, Y.G., Ushakov, I.B. et al. Biological Effectiveness of Fast Neutrons and Accelerated Multicharged Ions for Derivation of a New Dependence of Space Radiation Quality Coefficients on Linear Energy Transfer. Hum Physiol 48, 871–880 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0362119722070180

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