Glossary cont'd - hdbk110697

DOE-HDBK-1106-97

GLOSSARY (continued)

The Radiological Work Permit serves as an administrative process for planning and controlling

radiological work and informing the worker of the radiological conditions.

Radionuclide: A radioactive (unstable) nuclide.

Radioisotope: An unstable isotope of an element that decays or disintegrates spontaneously, emitting

radiation. Approximately 5,000 natural and artificial radioisotopes have been identified.

Reference Man: A hypothetical individual whose characteristics are often used to estimate radiation dose.

Reference Man is to be 20-30 years of age, 170 cm (5 ft 10 in) in height, weighing 70 kg (160 lb); and

living in a climate with an average temperature of from 10o to 20oC. Reference Man is a Caucasian and is

Western European or North American in habitat and custom.

Rem: A unit of dose equivalent. The word comes from the acronym Roentgen Equivalent Man and takes

into account the biological effect from an absorbed dose of radiation.

Retrospective Monitoring: Retrospective monitoring is a series of measurements made after an intake is

suspected to confirm the intake and assess any doses that may result from the intake.

Roentgen: The unit for exposure. It is that amount of gamma or X-rays required to produce ions carrying

1 electrostatic unit of electrical charge in 1 cubic centimeter (2.58 X 10-4 coulomb/kg) of dry air under

standard conditions.

Scintillation Detector: The combination of phosphor, photomultiplier tube, and associated electronic

circuits for counting light emissions produced in the phosphor by ionizing radiation.

Sealed Source: A radioactive source sealed in a container or having a bonded cover, in which the

container or cover has sufficient mechanical strength to prevent contact with, and dispersion of, the

radioactive material under the conditions of use and wear for which it was designed.