Alpha radiation dosimetry includes which types of samples?

Alpha radiation dosimetry specifically measures the exposure to alpha particles, which are heavy and positively charged particles ejected from the nucleus of an atom during radioactive decay. The types of samples used in alpha radiation dosimetry typically involve biological specimens that can indicate internal contamination or exposure to alpha-emitting radionuclides.

Samples such as urine and fecal bioassay samples are particularly relevant because they can directly reflect the presence of alpha-emitting isotopes that may have been ingested or inhaled by an individual. Analyzing these samples provides valuable information on the amount of alpha radiation the body might have absorbed, allowing for more accurate assessments of internal contamination and potential health risks.

While blood and air samples may also play a role in overall radiation exposure assessment, they are not specific to alpha radiation dosimetry in the way that urine and fecal bioassays are. Water and soil samples are useful for environmental monitoring but do not provide the personalized exposure data associated with internal contamination.