We now begin two chapters on the measurement or calculation of radiation dose to humans, external and internal dose assessment. Dose assessment is the correct formal name for this process. In day-to-day use, however, most people will refer to this as external and internal dosimetry. This is the classic historical term, in use since at least the Manhattan Project in the 1940s. The term “dosimetry” contains the suffix “metry”, which relates to metrology, which implies the measurement of physical quantities. In the last chapter, we looked at the issue of personnel dose-measuring devices. Much of external dose assessment does have to do with measurements, so the term “dosimetry” is mostly accurate. In this chapter, however, we show that a lot of work done in external dose assessment involves theoretical calculations of dose, generally with later verification using a survey meter or personnel monitoring devices.
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(2003). External Dose Assessment. In: Stabin, M.G. (eds) Radiation Protection and Dosimetry. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-49983-3_9
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