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Human exposure to large solar particle events in spaceWhenever energetic solar protons produced by solar particle events traverse bulk matter, they undergo various nuclear and atomic collision processes which significantly alter the physical characteristics and biologically important properties of their transported radiation fields. These physical interactions and their effect on the resulting radiation field within matter are described within the context of a recently developed deterministic, coupled neutron-proton space radiation transport computer code (BRYNTRN). Using this computer code, estimates of human exposure in interplanetary space, behind nominal (2 g/sq cm) and storm shelter (20 g/sq cm) thicknesses of aluminum shielding, are made for the large solar proton event of August 1972. Included in these calculations are estimates of cumulative exposures to the skin, ocular lens, and bone marrow as a function of time during the event. Risk assessment in terms of absorbed dose and dose equivalent is discussed for these organs. Also presented are estimates of organ exposures for hypothetical, worst-case flare scenarios. The rate of dose equivalent accumulation places this situation in an interesting region of dose rate between the very low values of usual concern in terrestrial radiation environments and the high-dose-rate values prevalent in radiation therapy.
Document ID
19920038292
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Townsend, L. W.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Wilson, J. W.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Shinn, J. L.
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Curtis, S. B.
(Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory Berkeley, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Advances in Space Research
Volume: 12
Issue: 2-3,
ISSN: 0273-1177
Subject Category
Aerospace Medicine
Accession Number
92A20916
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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