SOME SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS OF THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS OF HEAVY PRIMARY COSMIC RAYS

Technical Report · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1962

OSTI ID:4748749

Curtis, H J

The ionization produced by the heavy cosmic ray particles is almost entirely highly concentrated along single tracks, and the microscopic dose in tissue within these tracks may be quite high but the overall dose rate from these particles in outer space would be very low. These particles cannot be produced in the laboratory so a microbeam of deuterons has been developed which simulates the ionization pattern of these particles. Using this microbeam on mice it is found that this type of radiation causes very little effect in either the brain or the eye, and presumably also in other vital organs. However, it will cause greying of the hair. It is concluded that this type of radiation will not cause a serious hazard for space flight. (auth)

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, N.Y.
• DOE Contract Number: AT(30-2)-GEN-16
• NSA Number: NSA-17-006305
• OSTI ID: 4748749
• Report Number(s): BNL-6501
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BEAMS
BODY
BRAIN
CHARGED PARTICLES
COSMIC RADIATION
DEUTERONS
EYES
HAIR
HEALTH AND SAFETY
IONIZATION
MICE
MOCKUP
PARTICLE TRACKS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOBIOLOGY
SPACE FLIGHT
STANDARDS