title: Cellular dosimetry calculations for Strontium-90 using Monte Carlo code PENELOPE.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To improve risk assessments associated with chronic exposure to Strontium-90 (Sr-90), for both the environment and human health, it is necessary to know the energy distribution in specific cells or tissue. Monte Carlo (MC) simulation codes are extremely useful tools for calculating deposition energy. The present work was focused on the validation of the MC code PENetration and Energy LOss of Positrons and Electrons (PENELOPE) and the assessment of dose distribution to bone marrow cells from punctual Sr-90 source localized within the cortical bone part.
  
  
  METHODS
  S-values (absorbed dose per unit cumulated activity) calculations using Monte Carlo simulations were performed by using PENELOPE and Monte Carlo N-Particle eXtended (MCNPX). Cytoplasm, nucleus, cell surface, mouse femur bone and Sr-90 radiation source were simulated. Cells are assumed to be spherical with the radii of the cell and cell nucleus ranging from 2-10 μm. The Sr-90 source is assumed to be uniformly distributed in cell nucleus, cytoplasm and cell surface.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The comparison of S-values calculated with PENELOPE to MCNPX results and the Medical Internal Radiation Dose (MIRD) values agreed very well since the relative deviations were less than 4.5%. The dose distribution to mouse bone marrow cells showed that the cells localized near the cortical part received the maximum dose.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MC code PENELOPE may prove useful for cellular dosimetry involving radiation transport through materials other than water, or for complex distributions of radionuclides and geometries.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire.
authors.forename: Nora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hocine
authors.forename: Delphine
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Farlay
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Boivin
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Franck
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Agarande
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000528:radiation effects; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000528:radiation effects; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000528:radiation effects; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000528:radiation effects; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000528:radiation effects; D007700:Kinetics; D051379:Mice; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012984:Software; D013326:Strontium Radioisotopes / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D013326:Strontium Radioisotopes
keywords: MCNPX; MIRD; PENELOPE; Sr-90; cellular dosimetry; validation