CHORD Operators for Cell-Survival Models and Insult Assessment to Active Bone Marrow

Abstract

Critical human organ radiation dosimetry (CHORD) probability density functions for A-P (anterior-posterior), P-A (posterior-anterior), bilateral, rotational and isotropic radiation environments serve as insult-attenuation operators for cell-survival models based on target theory or the prediction of primary lesions according to the dual theory of radiation action. CHORD distributions plus simple depth-dose data also permitted the rapid estimation of the insult profile and the mean insult to the active bone marrow system of a mathematical analog of the ICRP [International Commission on Radiological Protection] Reference Man. The CHORD concept followed the variations in the microscopic processes of absorption, attenuation and scattering on a macroscopic level so that it was not necessary to attempt detailed original calculations for each and every case of interest. Similar techniques were applied to reactor-criticality calculations and the general logic of the CHORD process was applied to any cause-response type situation which was described in terms of variation with distance in the medium of interest. Doses to active bone marrow from exposures to photons and neutrons were presented and excellent agreement was shown with the available experimental results.