Glossary
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Internal dose That portion of the dose equivalent received from radioactive material
taken into the body.
Isotope An atom of the same atomic number (containing the same number of
protons) but with a different number of neutrons in the nucleus (different atomic
mass)—can be stable or radioactive.
Licensed material Radioactive material received, possessed, used, transferred, or
disposed of under a general license or specific license issued by a regulatory
agency.
Monitoring The measurement of radiation, radioactive material concentrations,
surface area activities, or quantities of radioactive material, and the use of the
results of these measurements to evaluate potential exposures and doses.
NORM A Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material—material that is naturally
radioactive due to containing naturally occurring radioactive isotopes.
Nuclide An atom characterized by the number of protons in its nucleus AND its
energy level [ex: Tc-99 m is a different nuclide than Tc-99, exhibiting a different
half-life and different decay energies due to its existing in a different nuclear
excitation (metastable) state].
Occupational dose The dose received by an individual in the course of employment in which the individual’s assigned duties involve exposure to sources of
radiation, whether in the possession of the licensee, registrant, or other person.
Occupational dose does not include doses received from natural background
radiation, as a patient from medical practices, from voluntary participation in
medical research programs, or as a member of the public.
Quality factor (Q) The conversion factor used to derive dose equivalent from
absorbed dose.
Rad The unit of absorbed dose. One millirad equals 0.001 rad.
Radiation Alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, x-rays, neutrons, high-speed
electrons, high-speed protons, and other particles capable of producing ions. For
purposes of this manual, ionizing radiation is an equivalent term.
Radiation area Any area, accessible to individuals, in which radiation levels could
result in an individual receiving a dose equivalent in excess of 0.05 mSv
(0.005 rem) in 1 h at 30 cm from the source of radiation or from any surface that
the radiation penetrates.
Radiation source Any radioactive material or any radiation equipment.
Radioactive material Any solid, liquid, or gas that emits radiation spontaneously.
Radiation worker Any person who, because of their work, has the potential to
receive a dose of 100 mrem (1 mSv) or greater in one year from working with
or around radiation or radioactive materials. All radiation workers must receive
training prior to commencing work with radiation or radioactive materials.
Radioactivity The property of certain nuclides of spontaneously emitting particles or gamma radiation following orbital electron capture, electron emission,
isometric transition, nuclear rearrangement, or spontaneous fission.
Radionuclide A radioactive nuclide.
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Internal dose That portion of the dose equivalent received from radioactive material
taken into the body.
Isotope An atom of the same atomic number (containing the same number of
protons) but with a different number of neutrons in the nucleus (different atomic
mass)—can be stable or radioactive.
Licensed material Radioactive material received, possessed, used, transferred, or
disposed of under a general license or specific license issued by a regulatory
agency.
Monitoring The measurement of radiation, radioactive material concentrations,
surface area activities, or quantities of radioactive material, and the use of the
results of these measurements to evaluate potential exposures and doses.
NORM A Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material—material that is naturally
radioactive due to containing naturally occurring radioactive isotopes.
Nuclide An atom characterized by the number of protons in its nucleus AND its
energy level [ex: Tc-99 m is a different nuclide than Tc-99, exhibiting a different
half-life and different decay energies due to its existing in a different nuclear
excitation (metastable) state].
Occupational dose The dose received by an individual in the course of employment in which the individual’s assigned duties involve exposure to sources of
radiation, whether in the possession of the licensee, registrant, or other person.
Occupational dose does not include doses received from natural background
radiation, as a patient from medical practices, from voluntary participation in
medical research programs, or as a member of the public.
Quality factor (Q) The conversion factor used to derive dose equivalent from
absorbed dose.
Rad The unit of absorbed dose. One millirad equals 0.001 rad.
Radiation Alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, x-rays, neutrons, high-speed
electrons, high-speed protons, and other particles capable of producing ions. For
purposes of this manual, ionizing radiation is an equivalent term.
Radiation area Any area, accessible to individuals, in which radiation levels could
result in an individual receiving a dose equivalent in excess of 0.05 mSv
(0.005 rem) in 1 h at 30 cm from the source of radiation or from any surface that
the radiation penetrates.
Radiation source Any radioactive material or any radiation equipment.
Radioactive material Any solid, liquid, or gas that emits radiation spontaneously.
Radiation worker Any person who, because of their work, has the potential to
receive a dose of 100 mrem (1 mSv) or greater in one year from working with
or around radiation or radioactive materials. All radiation workers must receive
training prior to commencing work with radiation or radioactive materials.
Radioactivity The property of certain nuclides of spontaneously emitting particles or gamma radiation following orbital electron capture, electron emission,
isometric transition, nuclear rearrangement, or spontaneous fission.
Radionuclide A radioactive nuclide.