Modelling of aircrew radiation exposure from galactic cosmic rays and solar particle events

Authors: Takada, M.; Lewis, B. J.; Boudreau, M.; Al Anid, H.; Bennett, L. G. I.

Source: Radiation Protection Dosimetry, Volume 124, Number 4, 9 May 2007 , pp. 289-318(30)

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Abstract:

Correlations have been developed for implementation into the semi-empirical Predictive Code for Aircrew Radiation Exposure (PCAIRE) to account for effects of extremum conditions of solar modulation and low altitude based on transport code calculations. An improved solar modulation model, as proposed by NASA, has been further adopted to interpolate between the bounding correlations for solar modulation. The conversion ratio of effective dose to ambient dose equivalent, as applied to the PCAIRE calculation (based on measurements) for the legal regulation of aircrew exposure, was re-evaluated in this work to take into consideration new ICRP-92 radiation-weighting factors and different possible irradiation geometries of the source cosmic-radiation field. A computational analysis with Monte Carlo N-Particle eXtended Code was further used to estimate additional aircrew exposure that may result from sporadic solar energetic particle events considering real-time monitoring by the Geosynchronous Operational Environmental Satellite. These predictions were compared with the ambient dose equivalent rates measured on-board an aircraft and to count rate data observed at various ground-level neutron monitors.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/rpd/ncm214

Publication date: 2007-05-09

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RPD publishes peer-reviewed papers covering all aspects of personal and environmental dosimetry and monitoring for both ionising and non-ionising radiations. This includes biological aspects, physical concepts, biophysical dosimetry, external and internal personal dosimetry and monitoring, environmental and workplace monitoring and accident dosimetry and dosimetry related to the protection of patients.