For purposes of estimating the dose commitment, it is assumed that from the time of intake the period of exposure to retained material will not exceed 50 years. Dosimeter - A device worn by personnel on their bodies to measure the amount of accumulated dose received from external sources of radiation. Effective Dose Equivalent - Means the sum of the products of the dose equivalent to each organ or tissue and the weighting factor applicable to each of the body organs or tissues that are irradiated. Electromagnetic radiation - A travelling wave consisting of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. Familiar types of electromagnetic radiation range from gamma and X-rays of short wavelength, through the ultraviolet, visible light, and infrared regions, to radar and radio waves of relatively long wavelength.
All electromagnetic radiation travels at the speed of light in vacuum.
Electron volt - A unit of energy equivalent to the energy gained by an electron passing through a potential difference of one volt. The amount of radiation to which an individual is exposed. Its unit of measurement is the Roentgen. Gamma ray - Penetrating electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths much shorter than those of visible light. Genetic effects of radiation - Radiation effects that can be transferred from parent to offspring.