Page 123 - Radiation Safety

FACTORS THAT MODIFY RADIATION EFFECTS

1. Type of Radiation

• Characteristics of alpha, beta, gamma and x-ray, and

neutrons will modify radiation effects.

• A simple way to determine the degree of hazard by

ionizing radiations are using the radiation weighting

factor W R

• Radiation quality is also stated by Relative Biological

Effectiveness (RBE) and Linear Energy Transfer (LET)

values, type and energy of radiation. Radiation with

higher RBE and LET values will cause more damages.

• Radiation with higher penetrative power is better able to

cause damage to organs deeper inside the body.