Calculation of the characteristics of the external irradiation of a human being as a result of 137Cs contamination of soil

Monte Carlo estimates of the effect of certain characteristics of the external irradiation of a human being standing on the surface of soil contaminated with 137Cs are presented. The spectrum and angular distribution of gamma rays in air and the effect of the height of the individual’s position above the soil surface, the area of the contaminated surface, the contamination depth in the soil, the snow cover, and the walls of a room are estimated. The effect of a change in certain computational parameters on the results is examined. It is shown that the density of the phantom material and soil have the strongest effect on the computational results.