ORAU TEAM

Dose Reconstruction

Project for NIOSH

Oak Ridge Associated Universities I Dade Moeller I MJW Technical Services

Page 1 of 22

Document Title:

Occupational Medical X-Ray Dose Reconstruction 

for DOE Sites

Document Number: ORAUT-PROC-0061

Revision: 03

Effective Date: 03/03/2010

Type of Document: Procedure

Supersedes: Revision 02

Subject Expert(s): Elyse M. Thomas

Site Expert(s): N/A

Approval: Signature on File Approval Date: 03/01/2010

James P. Griffin, Document Owner

Concurrence: Signature on File Concurrence Date: 03/01/2010

Kate Kimpan, Project Director

Approval: Signature on File Approval Date: 03/03/2010

Stuart L. Hinnefeld, Interim Director, DCAS

New Total Rewrite Revision Page Change

FOR DOCUMENTS MARKED AS A TOTAL REWRITE, REVISION, OR PAGE CHANGE, REPLACE THE PRIOR 

REVISION AND DISCARD / DESTROY ALL COPIES OF THE PRIOR REVISION.
Document No. ORAUT-PROC-0061 Revision No. 03 Effective Date: 03/03/2010 Page 2 of 22

PUBLICATION RECORD

EFFECTIVE 

DATE

REVISION

NUMBER DESCRIPTION

12/01/2004 00 New document to provide direction for assignment of organ dose 

from medical X-ray exams based on TBD information. Incorporates 

formal internal and NIOSH review comments. First approved issue. 

Initiated by Steven E. Merwin.

07/21/2006 01 Revised to include additional sites with approved TBDs, new 

guidance on X-rays for locations of the skin, and additional X-ray 

procedures. Incorporates formal internal and NIOSH review 

comments. Constitutes a total rewrite of the document. Incorporates 

additional NIOSH review comment. Training is required. Initiated by 

Robert C. Winslow. 

01/02/2008 02 Revised to update Attachment C to include approved Request for 

Direction or Operational Change for X-Ray dose assignment to the 

face and to include updates based on current TBD revisions. 

Constitutes a total rewrite of the document. Revised to incorporate 

internal comments and to include recently approved TBDs, change 

column headings, and alignment of x-ray procedures to align with 

new headings in Attachment A. Incorporates second formal internal 

review comments. Revised to address OCAS comments. Training is 

required. Initiated by Robert C. Winslow.

03/03/2010 03 Revised to remove the LAT chest doses for Ames Laboratory in 

Notes to Table A-1 which are now included in a revised Ames Site 

Profile; to add guidance for skin dose for PA and LAT chest for post 

1970; to better define dose to various areas of skin from PFG, PA 

and LAT chest pre-1970 and lumbar spine procedures; to remove 

Table A-1, the quick reference table, and Table B-1, the records 

availability table, and move them to shared space on the O drive so 

that they can be kept up to date as Site Profiles are revised; to move 

the responsibilities of the "subject expert - external dosimetry" to the 

"dose reconstruction group managers". Incorporates formal internal 

and NIOSH review comments. Constitutes a total rewrite of the 

document. Training is required. Initiated by Elyse M. Thomas.
Document No. ORAUT-PROC-0061 Revision No. 03 Effective Date: 03/03/2010 Page 3 of 22

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION TITLE

1.0 PURPOSE ..................................................................................................................................

PAGE

4

2.0 SCOPE .......................................................................................................................................4

3.0 REFERENCES ...........................................................................................................................4

4.0 RESPONSIBILITIES...................................................................................................................4

5.0 GENERAL...................................................................................................................................5

6.0 PROCEDURE.............................................................................................................................7

7.0 RECORDS................................................................................................................................11

8.0 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS....................................................................................................11

8.1 Drivers...........................................................................................................................11

8.2 Forms ............................................................................................................................11

9.0 DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS.............................................................................................11

ATTACHMENT A, QUICK-REFERENCE TABLE FOR X-RAY DOSE ASSIGNMENTS..................... 13

ATTACHMENT B, X-RAY RECORDS AVAILABILITY FOR DOE SITES ........................................... 14

ATTACHMENT C, GUIDANCE FOR ASSIGNMENT OF X-RAY DOSE TO THE SKIN .................... 15
Document No. ORAUT-PROC-0061 Revision No. 03 Effective Date: 03/03/2010 Page 4 of 22

1.0

The purpose of this procedure is to provide direction on reconstruction of doses from 

occupational medical X-rays for the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) Team Dose 

Reconstruction Project for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 

The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 (EEOICPA) 

requires the assignment of external dose from medical X-ray examinations that were 

performed for occupational health screening and required as a condition of employment. This 

procedure relies on information in site technical basis documents (TBDs), and it supersedes 

some of the instructions for X-ray dose reconstruction in ORAUT-PROC-0006 Rev. 01, 

External Dose Reconstruction.

PURPOSE

2.0

This procedure applies to Project employees who perform or supervise dose reconstruction for 

covered Energy Employees of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), its predecessor 

agencies, and certain of its contractors and subcontractors, and Atomic Weapons Employer 

(AWE) Facilities.

SCOPE

3.0

Kereiakes, J. G., and M. Rosenstein, 1980, Handbook of Radiation Doses in Nuclear Medicine 

and Diagnostic X-Ray, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, June NCRP (National Council on 

Radiation Protection and Measurements), 1976, Structural Shielding Design and Evaluation 

for Medical Use of X-rays and Gamma Rays of Energies up to 10 MeV, Report 49, Bethesda, 

Maryland

REFERENCES

NCRP (National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements), 1989, Medical X-Ray 

Electron Beam and Gamma-Ray Protection for Energies Up to 50 MeV (Equipment Design, 

Performance and Use), Report 102, Bethesda, Maryland

OCAS-IG-001, External Dose Reconstruction Implementation Guideline

OCAS-IG-003, Radiation Exposures Covered for Dose Reconstructions under Part B of the 

Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act

ORAUT-OTIB-0006, Dose Reconstruction from Occupationally Related Diagnostic X-Ray 

Procedures

ORAUT-PROC-0006, External Dose Reconstruction

4.0

4.1

RESPONSIBILITIES

Principal Medical Dosimetrist – Initiates revisions to medical dose TBDs, OTIBs, or 

Procedures should Dose Reconstructors or the Dose Reconstruction Group Managers 

report technical issues or discrepancies between published information and data in 

claim files. Provides guidance on issues and answers to technical questions that arise 

in the course of dose reconstruction and calculates organ doses based on technical 

information. Provides interpretation of case files or TBD information when necessary. 

Provides direction for the revision of this procedure as necessary based on revised or 

new information in TBDs or on feedback from Dose Reconstructors. Keeps Table A-1, 
Document No. ORAUT-PROC-0061 Revision No. 03 Effective Date: 03/03/2010 Page 5 of 22

Quick-Reference Table For X-Ray Dose Assignments and Table B-1, X-ray Records 

Availability for DOE sites up to date as TBDs are revised. (Project O Drive\Claims\DR 

Folders\DR Information\PROC-0061)

4.2 Dose Reconstruction Group Manager

4.3

– Informs the Principal Medical Dosimetrist of 

issues identified by Dose Reconstructors, or problems identified with implementation of 

this procedure. Provides additional guidance to Dose Reconstructors as needed.

Claims Processing Support Group Manager

4.4

– On request by Dose Reconstructors, 

submits a DOE discrepancy request for additional X-ray data.

Dose Reconstructor

5.0

– Informs the Dose Reconstruction Group Manager of issues with 

implementation of this procedure that are identified during the course of performing 

dose reconstructions. Applies published dose values; requests assistance from the 

Dose Reconstruction Group Manager and Principal Medical Dosimetrist when 

published values do not exist and need to be developed.

As described in OCAS-IG-001, External Dose Reconstruction Implementation Guideline, and 

OCAS-IG-003, Radiation Exposures Covered for Dose Reconstructions under Part B of the 

Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act, doses from occupational 

medical X-ray procedures that are performed on Energy Employees for occupational health 

screening and as a condition of employment must be included in dose reconstructions for this 

Project. This requirement is complicated by the fact that the doses from these procedures 

were not typically measured, nor were they considered or included by the site as a part of the 

overall occupational exposure of the Energy Employee. Because these exposures were not 

monitored, reconstruction of doses must rely on information in ORAU Team technical 

information bulletins (OTIBs), site-specific TBDs, and the medical and health physics literature.

Dose from medical X-ray screening procedures is assigned during the Energy Employee's 

verified employment period, including the remedial period if applicable, but is not assigned 

during the residual contamination period.

GENERAL

Typical X-ray procedures eligible to be included in dose reconstruction under EEOICPA are 

(1) photofluorography (PFG), posterior-anterior (PA), and lateral (LAT) 14” x 17” chest X-rays 

to screen for tuberculosis and lung cancer; (2) anterior-posterior (AP) and LAT lumbar spine Xrays (and sometimes AP or LAT spot projections) to screen for back anomalies, particularly for 

Energy Employees who performed heavy lifting; and (3) AP pelvis, thoracic spine, or cervical 

spine X-rays to screen for fluorosis in Energy Employees who were exposed to fluoride. Most 

other procedures (such as extremities) were performed in cases of work-related injury, which 

excludes them from the "screening" category and, as a result, should not be included in dose 

reconstruction. Additional projections (such as oblique or lordotic chest projections) that are 

requested to better visualize suspicious areas on a radiograph are also not generally 

“screening” (i.e. performed on all workers regardless of history, symptoms, or complaint) and 

therefore generally excluded from dose reconstruction. However, there are some exceptions 

where additional projections were part of the screening protocol (for example, oblique chests 

may have been part of the screening protocol for asbestos workers). The TBDs should 

provide descriptions of the screening procedures for each respective site.

All occupational X-ray doses are assigned in the Interactive RadioEpidemiological Program 

(IREP) computer code as follows:
Document No. ORAUT-PROC-0061 Revision No. 03 Effective Date: 03/03/2010 Page 6 of 22

Exposure Rate: Acute 

Radiation Type: Photons E = 30–250 keV

Other IREP parameters depend on the specific dose reconstruction approach used. Section 

6.0 of this procedure provides direction for assignment of occupational X-ray doses for Energy 

Employees from specific DOE sites based on approved TBDs. If the relevant site-specific 

TBD has not been issued, the Dose Reconstructors should review ORAUT-OTIB-0006, Dose 

Reconstruction from Occupationally Related X-Ray Procedures, and report and request 

needed dose information to their Dose Reconstruction Group Manager and the Principal 

Medical Dosimetrist. 

Section 6.0 describes a procedure for three general dose reconstruction approaches used for 

calculating the probability of causation (POC): Overestimate, Best Estimate, and Minimizing. 

The POC is used by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) as the decision basis for determining 

compensability. These three general approaches are distinguished as follows:

5.1

5.1.1 The general philosophy for an Overestimate approach is to assign dose from all 

eligible X-ray procedures under EEOICPA for each site where the Energy 

Employee worked.

Overestimate

5.1.2 An Overestimate approach is typically applied to cases with a clear POC of less 

than 50%.

5.1.3 There is no need to request case-specific X-ray data if not immediately 

available. 

5.2

5.2.1 The general philosophy for a Best-Estimate approach is to assign dose from all 

eligible X-ray procedures under EEOICPA for each site where the Energy 

Employee worked. However, some X-rays should be excluded from a BestEstimate approach. For example, prehire and rehire procedures more than 

1 year before DOL-verified employment should not be included. However, if 

records provide documented extenuating circumstances for a delay in the start 

of employment, X-ray procedures up to 2 years before DOL-verified 

employment may be considered. Based on the possibility of physical changes 

over time, it is expected that prehire and rehire X-ray procedures more than 1 

or 2 years before DOL-verified employment would have had to have been 

redone to verify the physical condition of the potential Energy Employee. If 

records indicate such additional X-ray procedures, all of the prehire and rehire 

procedures should be included in the dose reconstruction.

Best Estimate

5.2.2 A Best-Estimate approach is typically applied to cases for which the POC 

exceeds 50% if the X-ray dose is maximized or to cases for which a best 

estimate can be obtained with minimal effort. 

5.2.3 All available X-ray data should be requested from the site (if not already 

provided) if the compensability decision could be affected.
Document No. ORAUT-PROC-0061 Revision No. 03 Effective Date: 03/03/2010 Page 7 of 22

5.3

5.3.1 The Minimizing approach for the assignment of dose from eligible X-ray 

procedures under EEOICPA may only be used when the POC for the case is 

greater than 50%. The general philosophy is to assign dose from eligible X-ray 

procedures in the most efficient manner possible to achieve a POC greater than 

50%. In other words, if the POC is greater than 50% without including dose 

from X-ray procedures, the X-ray doses should not be included.

Minimizing

5.3.2 Only case-specific X-ray data can be used. 

6.0

Dose Reconstructor

PROCEDURE

6.1 Reviews the information in the case file.

6.2 Determines the approach (Overestimate, Best Estimate, Minimizing, or Skin) to apply 

to reconstruct the dose. For Overestimate, proceeds to Section 6.2.1; for Best 

Estimate, proceeds to Section 6.2.2; for Minimizing, proceeds to Section 6.2.3; and for 

Skin, proceeds to Section 6.2.4.

6.2.1

NOTE: The Overestimate approach in Table A-1, Quick-Reference Table 

For X-Ray Dose Assignments (now on the Project O Drive\Claims\DR 

Folders\DR Information\PROC-0061), while based on information in sitespecific TBDs, might include higher frequencies than those in the TBDs to 

ensure that the approach is, in fact, an overestimate. In addition, Table A1 directs Dose Reconstructors to the tables in the TBD for assignment of 

the proper organ dose. Unless otherwise noted in Table A-1, doses from 

the TBDs should be multiplied by 1.3 (1.35 for some TBDs) to account for 

uncertainty in an overestimate (and the doses treated as constants in 

IREP), or doses may be assigned as a normal distribution in IREP 

Parameter 1 and multiplied by 0.3 (0.35 for some TBDs) in Parameter 2.

Overestimate Approach

NOTE: The Savannah River Site and K-25 TBDs indicate years when PFG 

and PA chest procedures may have been performed during the same 

timeframe. If it cannot be determined which procedure was performed, 

the Dose Reconstructor should apply the higher organ dose for the 

overestimate. 

6.2.1.1 Reviews the case files from DOE to determine frequencies and 

types of X-rays in the Energy Employee’s records. 

6.2.1.2 If the records indicate more or different types of X-ray procedures 

eligible under EEOICPA that could result in higher organ doses in 

comparison to the doses based on the Overestimates in Table A-1, 

includes doses from the additional procedures and/or frequencies, 

and notifies the Dose Reconstruction Group Manager and Principal 

Medical Dosimetrist of these differences. 
Document No. ORAUT-PROC-0061 Revision No. 03 Effective Date: 03/03/2010 Page 8 of 22

6.2.1.3 As a general rule for an Overestimate approach, does not

6.2.2

need to 

request case-specific X-ray data if the data were not included in the 

DOE submittal; however, places the case on hold and requests the 

data if it is suspected the data are needed to ensure results 

favorable to the claimant.

NOTE: Table A-1 provides information on the best-estimate frequency 

and type of procedures for Energy Employees at specific sites and directs 

Dose Reconstructors to the TBD to determine X-ray frequency and type 

and to the tables in the TBD for assignment of the proper organ dose. 

Best-Estimate Approach

6.2.2.1 The hierarchy of information used to assign dose from X-rays should 

be as follows:

6.2.2.1.1 Energy employee records showing X-ray procedures: 

Does not add dose for years where there is no X-ray 

recorded for that year.

6.2.2.1.2 Phone interview summary, especially if no records of 

X-ray procedures are provided by the site, even after 

requesting the information.

6.2.2.1.3 Information in the TBD about historical X-ray procedure 

frequency if it cannot be determined from records or 

phone interviews. 

6.2.2.2 Unless otherwise noted, assigns the doses from the TBD as a 

normal distribution in IREP Parameter 1 and assigns the doses from 

the TBD multiplied by 0.3 in Parameter 2.

NOTE: A Best Estimate of the X-ray dose must

• An approved site TBD, 

be conducted 

with either: 

and

6.2.2.3 An agreed upon method with NIOSH for sites for which a Site Profile 

will not be written. Reviews the files in the case and uses the 

provided information with the organ-specific dose information in the 

site TBD to develop a best estimate of the dose. 

X-ray records in the DOE submittal. 

An additional request should be initiated by the dose 

reconstructor to obtain the X-ray records if they are not 

automatically submitted with every case. The only exceptions 

are currently Y-12 and INL, who are not providing X-ray records. 

6.2.2.4 If the Energy Employee's X-ray records are not included in the DOE 

submittal, and if the information might affect the case 

compensability, places the case on hold and requests the necessary 

information from the Claims Processing Support Group Manager.

NOTE: For Y-12 and INL cases, it is acceptable to use the 

frequency information published in the site TBDs. 
Document No. ORAUT-PROC-0061 Revision No. 03 Effective Date: 03/03/2010 Page 9 of 22

NOTE: The requested information could include information 

that is not typically provided by the sites in response to bulk 

requests. Table B-1 in Attachment B contains details on the 

types of information that are normally included in the DOE 

submittals for sites that are listed in Table A-1.

Claims Processing Support Group Manager

6.2.2.5 If requested by the Dose Reconstructor, submits a DOE discrepancy 

request for additional X-ray data.

6.2.2.6 Notifies the Dose Reconstructor if the requested additional 

information is not available.

Dose Reconstructor

6.2.2.7 If notified that the requested additional information is not available:

6.2.2.7.1 Proceeds with the case and makes appropriate 

judgments based on the available information, including 

information provided during the interview process to 

assign dose.

6.2.2.7.2 Uses assumptions favorable to the claimant when 

necessitated by a lack of reliable information.

6.2.3

NOTE: Table A-1 provides site-specific information for assignment of 

minimized doses for X-ray procedures. 

Minimizing Approach

6.2.3.1 Assigns dose only for those X-rays that are listed in the energy 

employee records and were certain to have been performed for 

screening. 

6.2.3.2 Unless otherwise noted in Table A-1, assigns the values as 

constants. 

6.2.3.3 If records that indicate the type and frequency of X-ray procedures 

are not available and the inclusion of X-ray dose could raise the 

calculated POC to 50% or greater, uses a Best-Estimate approach 

using the site TBD and other available information (see 

Section 6.2.2). 

6.2.3.4 NOTE: A combination of a Minimizing approach and a BestEstimate approach is acceptable because the overall goal is to 

arrive at the correct compensability decision in the most efficient 

manner possible, provided an adequate basis exists for the dose 

assignments.

6.2.4

6.2.4.1 Follows Sections 6.2.1 through 6.2.3 for skin cancer cases 

depending on the approach. 

Skin Cancer Approach
Document No. ORAUT-PROC-0061 Revision No. 03 Effective Date: 03/03/2010 Page 10 of 22

NOTE: The X-ray dose assignment for skin cancer cases needs 

careful consideration because knowledge about where the Xray beam enters the body in relation to the location of the skin 

cancer is necessary. While entrance skin dose values can be 

considered overestimates for parts of the body NOT in the 

primary entrance beam, they cannot

6.2.4.2 To assign skin doses for Best-Estimate or Minimizing approaches, 

determines the location of the cancer based on information in the 

case file and then determines the appropriate X-ray dose value from 

published tables. 

be applied for a BestEstimate or Minimizing approach except for skin cancers within 

the X-ray field at the point of entrance, such as the back for a 

PA chest projection. Other locations on the skin might also 

have been within the X-ray field before 1970, when adequate 

collimation to limit the beam to the area of interest for the 

procedure might not have been used. Tables C-1 through C-6 

in Attachment C provide guidance on the assignment of X-ray 

doses to various areas of skin for several common screening 

procedures, and for various time periods. Some site 

occupational medical TBDs include doses for the skin that are 

(1) in the beam, (2) on the exit side of the body, (3) near but 

outside the primary beam or exit beam, and (4) remote from the 

beam that should be assigned, as appropriate, when they are 

available. When this information is not already provided in the 

site-specific TBD, Attachment C provides guidance in using 

published values; however, the Principal Medical Dosimetrist 

should be notified when specific organ or skin doses are 

needed and are not previously published. 

NOTE: Previously, dose reconstructors assigned dose to skin 

based on an analogous organ in proximity to the location of the 

cancer. However, appropriately developed skin doses are 

preferable to application of doses from analogous organs 

because of the relatively low effective energy of X-rays and the 

depth of analogous organs in relation to the skin surface. 

6.2.4.3 Consults with the Principal Medical Dosimetrist for further guidance 

in this area, or to request development of skin doses.

Principal Medical Dosimetrist

6.2.4.4 Calculates skin doses needed by dose reconstructors that are not 

previously published. 

6.2.4.5 Notifies the Dose Reconstruction Group Managers of any changes 

of interpretation or new information that could affect multiple cases, 

or if additional screening X-rays are identified in the case records 

that are not discussed in the site-specific occupational medical 

TBDs.
Document No. ORAUT-PROC-0061 Revision No. 03 Effective Date: 03/03/2010 Page 11 of 22

Dose Reconstruction Group Manager 

6.2.4.6 Provides guidance to Dose Reconstructors on dose reconstruction 

processes, procedures, and policies.

6.2.4.7 Notifies the Principal Medical Dosimetrist of issues raised and/or 

problems identified by dose reconstructors regarding occupational 

medical dose and site specific occupational medical TBDs so that 

solutions can be developed.

7.0

None

RECORDS

8.0

8.1

APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

Contract No. 200-2009-29263, Dose Reconstruction and Related Activities to Support 

NIOSH’s Responsibilities under the EEOICPA

Drivers

ORAUT-PLAN-0001, Quality Assurance Program Plan

ORAUT-PLAN-0009, Project Management Plan

8.2

None

Forms

9.0 DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS

AP – anterior-posterior (X-ray projection).

BSF – backscatter factor.

cm – centimeter.

DOE – U.S. Department of Energy.

DOL – U.S. Department of Labor.

EEOICPA – Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000.

EAK – Entrance Air Kerma in air is the sum of kinetic energy of all charged particles liberated 

per unit mass of air where the X-ray beam enters the body. The unit is the joule per kilogram 

(J kg-1

) and is given the special name gray (Gy).

ENSD – Entrance skin dose – ENSD is calculated by multiplying the entrance air kerma in air 

by a backscatter factor based on the half-value layer of the X-ray beam.
Document No. ORAUT-PROC-0061 Revision No. 03 Effective Date: 03/03/2010 Page 12 of 22

EXSD – Exit skin dose is calculated by multiplying the entrance air kerma in air by an

absorption factor based on the half-value layer.

HVL – Half-value layer.

in. – inch.

INL – Idaho National Laboratory.

IREP – Interactive RadioEpidemiological Program.

keV – kiloelectron-volt.

kVp – kilovolts-peak, applied kilovoltage.

LAT

m – meter.

– lateral (X-ray projection).

mm – millimeter.

mrem – millirem.

NCRP – National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements.

NIOSH – National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

OCAS – Office of Compensation and Analysis Support.

ORAU – Oak Ridge Associated Universities.

OTIB – ORAU Team technical information bulletin.

PA – posterior-anterior (X-ray projection).

PFG – photofluorography.

POC – probability of causation.

RSD – Remote Skin Dose is the dose to areas of skin that are at a distance from the area of 

the X-ray beam. The source of the dose to these areas of skin is scatter produced within the 

body from the primary X-ray beam.

SEC – Special Exposure Cohort.

Screening – Screening x-rays are systematic examinations performed on asymptomatic 

people, without history, complaint, physical findings, or physician evaluation. 

Site Profile - (1) The combination of five technical basis documents (TBDs), each written to 

describe a specific technical area related to a covered site or sites, along with an introduction. 

Technical basis document (TBD) – For this procedure, TBD means an Occupational Medical 

Dose TBD or Occupational Medical Dose section of a site profile.
Document No. ORAUT-PROC-0061 Revision No. 03 Effective Date: 03/03/2010 Page 13 of 22

Table A-1 has been moved to shared drive space so that it can be kept up to date as TBDs are 

revised. It is available on the Project O Drive\Claims\DR Folders\DR Information\PROC-0061.

ATTACHMENT A

TABLE A-1 QUICK-REFERENCE TABLE FOR X-RAY DOSE ASSIGNMENTS
Document No. ORAUT-PROC-0061 Revision No. 03 Effective Date: 03/03/2010 Page 14 of 22

ATTACHMENT B

X-RAY RECORDS AVAILABILITY FOR DOE SITES

Table B-1 has been moved to shared drive space so that it can be kept up to date as TBDs are 

revised. It is available on the Project O Drive\Claims\DR Folders\DR Information\PROC-0061.
Document No. ORAUT-PROC-0061 Revision No. 03 Effective Date: 

03/0

3/2010 Page 15 of 22

The normalized areas of skin are listed in the tables below, along with the associated basis for assignment of skin dose for common 

screening procedures, common projections, and for various time periods. The skin doses assigned are the entrance skin dose (ENSD), 

the exit skin dose (EXSD), the outside but near entrance skin dose (10% ENSD), the outside but near exit skin dose (10% EXSD), and the 

remote skin dose (RSD) given with the distance from beam center.

Table C-1 provides generic guidance for the assignment of dose to various areas of skin from PFG chest, PA and LAT chest, and lumbar 

spine projections for X-rays taken prior to 1970 when poor collimation is assumed. Table C-2 provides generic guidance for the 

assignment of dose to various areas of the skin from chest and lumbar spine projections performed after 1970, when collimation practices 

are assumed to have been better. 

Table C-1. Generic guidance for the assignment of dose to various areas of the skin for the pre-1970 poor collimation period for various 

procedures and projections.

Area of skin

Basis

for PFG

Basis for PA 

chest before 

1970

Basis for LAT 

chest before 

1970

Basis for AP 

and AP spot 

lumbar spine 

before 1970

Basis for LAT 

and LAT spot 

lumbar spine 

before 1970

LPO basis for 

LPO lumbar 

spine before 

1970

RPO basis for 

RPO lumbar 

spine before 

1970

R front shoulder EXSD EXSD ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% EXSD

R back shoulder ENSD ENSD ENSD 10% EXSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% EXSD

L front shoulder EXSD EXSD EXSD 10% ENSD 10% EXSD 10% EXSD 10% ENSD

L back shoulder ENSD ENSD EXSD 10% EXSD 10% EXSD 10% EXSD 10% ENSD

R upper arm to elbow 10% ENSD ENSD ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% EXSD

L upper arm to elbow 10% ENSD ENSD EXSD 10% ENSD 10% EXSD 10% EXSD 10% ENSD

L hand ENSD ENSD 10% ENSD ENSD 10% EXSD 10% EXSD 10% ENSD

R hand ENSD ENSD 10% ENSD ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% EXSD

L elbow, forearm, wrist 10% ENSD ENSD 10% ENSD ENSD 10% EXSD 10% EXSD 10% ENSD

R elbow, forearm, wrist 10% ENSD ENSD 10% ENSD ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% EXSD

R side of head (including ear) 10% ENSD 10% ENSD Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain

L side of head (including ear) 10% ENSD 10% ENSD Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain

Front left thigh RSD (0.52m) RSD (0.52m) RSD (0.52m) 10% ENSD 10% EXSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD

Back left thigh RSD (0.52m) RSD (0.52m) RSD (0.52m) 10% EXSD 10% EXSD 10% EXSD 10% EXSD

Front right thigh RSD (0.52m) RSD (0.52m) RSD (0.52m) 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD

Back right thigh RSD (0.52m) RSD (0.52m) RSD (0.52m) 10% EXSD 10% ENSD 10% EXSD 10% EXSD

L knee and below RSD (0.86m) RSD (0.86m) RSD (0.86m) RSD (0.60m) RSD (0.60m) RSD (0.60m) RSD (0.60m)

R knee and below RSD (0.86m) RSD (0.86m) RSD (0.86m) RSD (0.60m) RSD (0.60m) RSD (0.60m) RSD (0.60m)

L side of face Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain

R Side of Face Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain

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Area of skin

Basis

for PFG

Basis for PA 

chest before 

1970

Basis for LAT 

chest before 

1970

Basis for AP 

and AP spot 

lumbar spine 

before 1970

Basis for LAT 

and LAT spot 

lumbar spine 

before 1970

LPO basis for 

LPO lumbar 

spine before 

1970

RPO basis for

RPO lumbar 

spine before 

1970

L side of neck 10% ENSD ENSD Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain

R side of neck 10% ENSD ENSD Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain

Back of head 10% ENSD 10% ENSD Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain

Front of neck Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain

Back of neck 10% ENSD ENSD Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain

Front torso: base of neck to 

end of sternum EXSD EXSD Lung 10% ENSD Lunga 10% ENSD 10% ENSD

Front torso: end of sternum to 

lowest rib EXSD EXSD Lung ENSD Lunga ENSD ENSD

Front torso: lowest rib to iliac 

crest EXSD EXSD Lung ENSD Lunga ENSD ENSD

Front torso: iliac crest to pubis 10% EXSD 10% EXSD 10% Lung ENSD Lunga ENSD ENSD

Back torso: base of neck to 

mid-back ENSD ENSD Lung 10% EXSD Lunga 10% EXSD 10% EXSD

Back torso: mid-back to 

lowest rib ENSD ENSD Lung EXSD Lunga EXSD EXSD

Back torso: lowest rib to iliac 

crest ENSD ENSD Lung EXSD Lunga EXSD EXSD

Back torso: buttocks (Iliac 

crest and below) 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% Lung EXSD Lunga EXSD EXSD

Right torso: base of neck to 

end of sternum ENSD ENSD ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% EXSD

Right torso: end of sternum to 

lowest rib ENSD ENSD ENSD ENSD ENSD ENSD EXSD

Right torso: lowest rib to iliac 

crest ENSD ENSD ENSD ENSD ENSD ENSD EXSD

Right torso: Iliac crest to pubis 

(R hip) 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD ENSD ENSD ENSD EXSD

Left torso: base of neck to 

end of sternum ENSD ENSD EXSD 10% ENSD 10% EXSD 10% EXSD 10% ENSD

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Area of skin

Basis

for PFG

Basis for PA 

chest before 

1970

Basis for LAT 

chest before 

1970

Basis for AP 

and AP spot 

lumbar spine 

before 1970

Basis for LAT 

and LAT spot 

lumbar spine 

before 1970

LPO basis for 

LPO lumbar 

spine before 

1970

RPO basis for

RPO lumbar 

spine before 

1970

Left torso: end of sternum to 

lowest rib ENSD ENSD EXSD ENSD EXSD EXSD ENSD

Left torso: Lowest rib to iliac 

crest ENSD ENSD EXSD ENSD EXSD EXSD ENSD

Left torso: Iliac crest to pubis 

(L hip) 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% EXSD ENSD EXSD EXSD ENSD

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Table C-2. Generic guidance for the assignment of dose to various areas of the skin after 1970 for the period of better collimation for 

various procedures and projections.

Area of skin

Basis for PA 

chest after 

1970

Basis for LAT 

chest after 

1970

Basis for AP 

and AP spot 

lumbar spine 

after 1970

Basis for LAT 

and LAT spot 

lumbar spine 

after 1970

LPO basis for 

LPO lumbar 

spine after 

1970

RPO basis for 

RPO lumbar 

spine after 

1970

R front shoulder EXSD ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% EXSD

R back shoulder ENSD ENSD 10% EXSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% EXSD

L front shoulder EXSD EXSD 10% ENSD 10% EXSD 10% EXSD 10% ENSD

L back shoulder ENSD EXSD 10% EXSD 10% EXSD 10% EXSD 10% ENSD

R upper arm to elbow 10% ENSD ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% EXSD

L upper arm to elbow 10% ENSD EXSD 10% ENSD 10% EXSD 10% EXSD 10% ENSD

L hand 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% EXSD 10% EXSD 10% ENSD

R hand 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% EXSD

L elbow, forearm, wrist 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% EXSD 10% EXSD 10% ENSD

R elbow, forearm, wrist 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% EXSD

R side of head (including ear) 10% ENSD 10% ENSD Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain

L side of head (including ear) 10% ENSD 10% ENSD Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain

Front left thigh RSD (0.52m) RSD (0.52m) 10% ENSD 10% EXSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD

Back left thigh RSD (0.52m) RSD (0.52m) 10% EXSD 10% EXSD 10% EXSD 10% EXSD

Front right thigh RSD (0.52m) RSD (0.52m) 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD

Back right thigh RSD (0.52m) RSD (0.52m) 10% EXSD 10% ENSD 10% EXSD 10% EXSD

L knee and below RSD (0.86m) RSD (0.86m) RSD (0.60m) RSD (0.60m) RSD (0.60m) RSD (0.60m)

R knee and below RSD (0.86m) RSD (0.86m) RSD (0.60m) RSD (0.60m) RSD (0.60m) RSD (0.60m)

L side of face Eye/brain 10% ENSD Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain

R side of face Eye/brain 10% ENSD Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain

L side of neck 10% ENSD 10% ENSD Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain

R side of neck 10% ENSD 10% ENSD Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain

Back of head 10% ENSD 10% ENSD Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain

Front of neck Thyroid 10% ENSD Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain

Back of neck 10% ENSD 10% ENSD Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain Eye/brain

Front torso: base of neck to end of sternum EXSD Lung 10% ENSD Lunga 10% ENSD 10% ENSD

Front torso: end of sternum to lowest rib EXSD Lung ENSD Lunga ENSD ENSD

Front torso: lowest rib to iliac crest 10% EXSD 10% Lung ENSD Lunga ENSD ENSD

Front torso: iliac crest to pubis 10% EXSD 10% Lung ENSD Lunga ENSD ENSD

Back torso: base of neck to mid-back ENSD Lung 10% EXSD Lunga 10% EXSD 10% EXSD

Back torso: mid-back to lowest rib ENSD Lung EXSD Lunga EXSD EXSD

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Back torso: lowest rib to iliac crest 10% ENSD 10% Lung EXSD Lunga EXSD EXSD

Back torso: buttocks (iliac crest and below) 10% ENSD 10% Lung EXSD Lunga EXSD EXSD

Right torso: base of neck to end of sternum ENSD ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% ENSD 10% EXSD

Right torso: end of sternum to lowest rib ENSD ENSD ENSD ENSD ENSD EXSD

Right torso: lowest rib to iliac crest 10% ENSD 10% ENSD ENSD ENSD ENSD EXSD

Right torso: iliac crest to pubis (r hip) 10% ENSD 10% ENSD ENSD ENSD ENSD EXSD

Left torso: base of neck to end of sternum ENSD EXSD 10% ENSD 10% EXSD 10% EXSD 10% ENSD

Left torso: end of sternum to lowest rib ENSD EXSD ENSD EXSD EXSD ENSD

Left torso: lowest rib to iliac crest 10% ENSD 10% EXSD ENSD EXSD EXSD ENSD

Left torso: iliac crest to pubis (l hip) 10% ENSD 10% EXSD ENSD EXSD EXSD ENSD

a. The gender specific lung dose should be used.

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Calculation of Skin Doses

The entrance skin dose (ENSD) is the skin dose where the X-ray beam enters the body. It is defined 

as the entrance air kerma in air (EAK) multiplied by a backscatter factor (BSF) dependent on the halfvalue layer (HVL) from Table B-8 of National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements 

(NCRP) Report 102 (NCRP 1989):

ENSD = EAK × BSF (C-1)

The exit skin dose (EXSD) is the dose to the skin where the X-ray beam exits the body. It is defined 

as the entrance skin dose (ENSD) divided by an adjusted absorption factor (AFF), which is the 

absorption factor (AF) for a given thickness of tissue tabulated in Table B.7 of NCRP Report 102 

(NCRP 1989) and reproduced below in Table C-3, decreased by 10% as shown in Equations C-2 and 

C-3. For dose reconstruction under EEOICPA, a standard chest and abdomen thickness of 23 cm in 

the PA or AP dimension, and 34 cm in the LAT dimension is assumed. 

AFF EXSD = ENSD (C-2)

AFF = AF × 0.9 (C-3)

The entrance skin dose near but outside the primary beam (ENSDNPB) is 10% of the ENSD as 

shown in Equation C-4. This estimate is based on the finding that scattered radiation produces a 

dose to the testes equal to 10% of the central beam dose when the testes are just outside a beam 

(Kereiakes and Rosenstein 1980, p. 205).

ENSDNPB = ENSD × 0.1 (C-4)

The exit skin dose near but outside the primary beam (EXSDNPB) is similarly 10% of the EXSD as 

shown in Equation C-5. 

EXSDNPB = EXSD ×0.1 (C-5)

The remote skin dose (RSD), shown in Equation C-6, is a function of:

• ENSD;

• Inverse square of the distance R from the center of the primary beam to nearest point on the 

skin surface of interest; and

• A ratio of scattered to incident exposure equal to 0.0005 based on the exposure at 1 m due to 

90° scattering of 70-kVp radiation in accordance with Table B-2 of NCRP Report 49 (NCRP 

1976)

• Average percent depth dose (ADD) of:

– The midpoint value of a 23-cm torso (rounded to 12 cm to match the nearest tabulated 

value and to ensure bias favorable to claimants) and dependent on the HVL of the beam in 

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NCRP Report 102 (NCRP 1989, Table B.8) for PA chest and AP lumbar spine procedures; 

– The midpoint of a 34-cm torso (rounded to 16 cm to match the nearest tabulated value and 

to ensure bias favorable to claimants) and dependent on the HVL of the beam in NCRP 

Report 102 (NCRP 1989, Table B.8) for LAT lumbar spine procedures.

• A bias factor favorable to claimants of 1.1 to allow for 10% uncertainty in tabulated values of 

ADD:

2 1 0.0005 1.1 



 



 = × × × ×

R

RSD ENSD ADD (C-6)

The distances for calculation of RSD for the PA chest X-ray procedures are: 

• Skin of thighs to knees – 0.52 m

• Skin of knees and below– 0.86 m

The distances for calculation of RSD for the AP and LAT lumbar-spine procedures are:

• Skin of knees and below – 0.60 m

Table C-3. Absorption factor (NCRP 1989, Table B.7)

Thickness of overlying 

tissue to exit surface

(centimeters)

Absorption factor (AF)

Half-value layer (mm Al)

1.0 1.5 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0

0 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00

1 1.39 1.25 1.18 1.07 1.02 1.01

2 2.04 1.64 1.47 1.28 1.15 1.06

3 3.29 2.10 1.81 1.54 1.35 1.17

4 3.79 2.75 2.20 1.78 1.55 1.35

5 5.13 3.45 2.62 2.11 1.82 1.56

6 6.67 4.35 3.13 2.50 2.12 1.80

7 8.33 5.26 3.73 2.94 2.48 2.09

8 10.5 6.41 4.42 3.42 2.90 2.40

9 13.3 7.69 5.13 3.98 3.34 2.76

10 17.2 9.35 5.99 4.61 3.82 3.20

11 21.8 11.5 7.10 5.43 4.50 3.75

12 26.3 13.7 8.20 6.25 5.18 4.30

13 33.2 16.9 9.70 7.40 6.11 4.90

14 40.0 20.0 11.2 8.55 7.04 5.70

15 53.3 24.3 13.3 10.2 8.28 6.60

16 66.7 28.6 15.4 11.8 9.52 7.00

20 168 63.0 29.5 22.0 17.3 13.7

25 550 165 65.5 49.0 36.5 27.8

30 1,800 440 146 108 78.0 57.0

35 1,150 330 240 166 118

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Table C-4. Excerpt from Table B.8 (NCRP 1989) average percentage depth 

doses for diagnostic X-ray beams 

Depth

(centimeters)

Average percentage depth dose (ADD)a

Half-value layer (mm Al)

1.0 1.5 2.0 3.0 4.0

0 100 100 100 100 100

1 71.9 80.3 85.0 93.7 97.7

2 49.1 60.9 68.1 78.0 87.2

3 30.4 47.7 55.4 65.0 74.1

4 26.4 36.3 45.5 56.2 64.6

5 19.5 29.0 38.2 47.3 55.0

6 15.0 23.0 31.9 40.0 47.2

7 12.0 19.0 26.8 34.0 40.3

8 9.5 15.6 22.6 29.2 34.5

9 7.5 13.0 19.5 25.1 29.9

10 5.8 10.7 16.7 21.7 26.2

12 3.8 7.3 12.2 16.0 19.3

14 2.5 5.0 8.9 11.7 14.2

16 1.5 3.5 6.5 8.5 10.5

20 0.6 1.6 3.4 4.5 5.8

25 0.2 0.6 1.5 2.0 2.7

30 0.1 0.2 0.7 0.9 1.3

35 - 0.1 0.3 0.4 0.6

a. For 35 cm x 35 cm field size.

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