CHEM H90 Lecture Notes - Lecture 19: Roentgen Equivalent Man, Relative Biological Effectiveness, Absorbed Dose
Nuclear Power and Accidents
• physiological effects of a single dose of radiation
o rad = “radiation absorbed dose”
▪ absorption of 0.01 J of radiant energy/kg tissue
o rem = “roentgen equivalent man” = Q x (number of rads)
▪ where Q is a relative biological effectiveness factor
o 1 Sv = 100 rem = Q x 1 J/kg
• why not more nuclear power?
o CO2 – free power
o fear of radiation
o generally, folks are bad at quantifying catastrophic risk and reacting
o far more people fear flying than driving, but an hour in the air
• nuclear reactor meltdown
o loss of coolant, external fires, removal of control rods can lead to increase in
chain reaction and high temperature and pressure
o these can melt elements, generate H2, cause explosions, etc.
o extreme worry: radioactive by-products escape containment and pollute
surrounding area, getting into food chain, etc.
• power plant accidents
o three mile island 1979
o Chernobyl 1986
o Fukushima 2011
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