According to ICRP radiation weighting factors, which type of radiation carries the HIGHEST weighting factor?
- A Alpha particles ✓
- B Beta particles
- C Gamma rays
- D X-rays
Correct answer: A. Alpha particles
Explanation
Alpha particles have a radiation weighting factor of 20 because their dense ionisation track causes far more biological damage per unit absorbed dose than sparsely ionising radiation. Photons (X-rays and gamma rays) and beta particles (electrons) both carry a weighting factor of 1. This is why internally deposited alpha emitters such as radon daughters are disproportionately hazardous relative to their absorbed dose.
Reference: ICRP Publication 103, 2007 Recommendations ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.