ICRP Publication 58

RBE for Deterministic Effects

This report investigates data on RBE - the Relative Biological Effectiveness - of various types of radiation to assess whether, for specific tissues, the present dose limits or annual limits of intake, based on Q values, and intended to limit the incidence of stochastic effects, are adequate to prevent deterministic effects. The report addresses the problems of accidental exposures as well as chronic irradiation. Also included is the RBE values for the deterministic effects associated with alpha and beta emitting radionuclides in the lungs with particular reference to nuclides and irradiation times of interest for accidental conditions.