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R. B. Richardson, J. Debeau, Monte Carlo determination of age-dependent steady-state dose to red bone marrow and bone from 14C exposure, Radiation Protection Dosimetry, Volume 103, Issue 1, 1 January 2003, Pages 5–18, https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.rpd.a006115
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Abstract
Monte Carlo simulations were carried out to calculate the age-dependent dose from the beta decay of 14C to marrow and bone on the basis of a steady-state specific-activity model. A model of the trabecular cavity containing spherical fat cells in a square lattice surrounded by haemopoietic tissue was employed. The age-dependent 14C dose to haemopoietic (red) marrow was estimated taking account of the change in the fat cell size with fat fraction. Allowances were made for the change in the percentage cellularity and distribution of active marrow in the whole skeleton as a function of age. Age-dependent changes in trabecular cavity size and bone composition were found to have only a small effect on dose. Dose rates were estimated under steady-state conditions, for food ingested with a 14C specific activity of 1 Bq g-1 of C. The equivalent dose rate to the haemopoietic tissue of a 20 year-old adult is 77 µSv a-1, and 39 µSv a-1 for a 3-month-old infant. Similarly, the equivalent dose rate to the bone surfaces of an adult is 48 µSv a-1), and 38 µSv a-1 for an infant. Therefore, the equivalent dose rate to marrow and bone stem cells increases with age under steady state conditions.