Calculation of equivalent dose for Auger electron emitting radionuclides distributed in human organs

Radionuclides that emit Auger electrons can be extremely radiotoxic depending on the subcellular distribution of the radiochemical. Despite this, ICRP 60 provides no guidance in the calculation of equivalent dose H_T for Auger electrons. The recent report by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine recommends a radiation weighting factor W_R of 20 for stochastic effects caused by Auger electrons, along with a method of calculating the equivalent dose that takes into account the subcellular distribution of the radionuclide. In view of these recommendations, it is important to reevaluate equivalent doses from Auger electron emitters. The mean absorbed dose per unit cumulated activity (S-value) from Auger electrons and other radiations is calculated for ninety Auger-electron-emitting radionuclides distributed in human ovaries, testes and liver. Using these S-values, and the formalism given in the recent AAPM report, the dependence of the organ equivalent doses on subcellular distribution of the Auger electron emitters is examined. The results show an increase in the mean equivalent dose for Auger electron emitters when a significant fraction of the organ activity localizes in the DNA.