Answer to Question #12980 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Radiation Effects — Effects on Tissues and Organs

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

Q

Generally, there is a feeling that dose to a person due to neutrons is riskier for the same dose-equivalent in mSv when compared to other radiations such as gamma. Why is it so?

A

The idea that neutrons are more risky than other radiations is because some studies have reported that the repair of neutron damage to DNA, typically double strand breaks, is not repaired as often as gamma damage to DNA. An example of these studies is Cell Survival and DNA Double-strand Break Repair Following X-ray or Neutron Irradiation of V79 Cells. Other studies show that the difference may not be significant, see Constancy of the Relative Biological Effectiveness of 42 MeV (p-->Be+) Neutrons Among Cell Lines with Different DNA Repair Proficiencies.

For more information on neutron versus gamma radiation see Q8933, Q8943, and Q11416 of the HPS Ask the Experts.

John Hageman, CHP

Ask the Experts is posting answers using only SI (the International System of Units) in accordance with international practice. To convert these to traditional units we have prepared a conversion table. You can also view a diagram to help put the radiation information presented in this question and answer in perspective. Explanations of radiation terms can be found here.
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