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A proposal for revision of the quality factor

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Summary

As a result of recent radiobiological research it has become evident that the RBE of neutrons can at low absorbed doses reach values that are substantially higher than the values of the quality factor (Q) currently adopted for radiation protection. There is theoretical and observational evidence that such high RBE values are the rule rather than the exception and that they apply to at least one radiation effect on humans. New values as well as different formulations are proposed for the factor that is employed in radiation protection to weight absorbed doses for their biological effectiveness.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radiological Research Laboratory, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 10032, New York, N.Y., USA

    Harald H. Rossi

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  1. Harald H. Rossi
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Additional information

This investigation was supported by Contract EY-76-C-02-3243 from the U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration and by Grant Numbers CA 12536 and CA 15307, awarded by the National Cancer Institute, DHEW

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Rossi, H.H. A proposal for revision of the quality factor. Radiat Environ Biophys 14, 275–283 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01325242

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01325242

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