COMMENTS ON THE DEFINITION OF THE CURIE, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO NATURAL RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
An analysis of maximum permissible levels of radionuclides showed that the definition of the curie, when applied to natural radioactive materials, is ambiguous. The history of the definition of the curie is reviewed. In the past, no clear distinction was raade between the curie as a unit of the quantity of a radioactive substance, and the curie as a unit of radioactivity. This has caused different interpretation of the curic as applied to natural radioactive materials, e.g., natural uranium and natural thorium. A redefinition of the curie as a pure unit of radioactivity is suggested, and maximum permissible levels or concentrations of natural radioactive materials, such as uranium or thorium, should be stated in mass per unit mass or volume of air, water, food, etc. It is recommended that, in legislation listing the amounts of naturally occurring radioactive substances, these amounts be stated in milligrams or Kilograms. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-005660
- OSTI ID:
- 4751680
- Journal Information:
- Intern. J. Appl. Radiation Isotopes, Vol. Vol: 13; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-63
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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