Effects of different deposition models on the calculated dose conversion factors from 222Rn progeny

Regional lung deposition for radon progeny (size range, 1 nm to 1000 nm, monodispersed) has been determined employing Gormley–Kennedy, Ingham, Cohen–Asgharian and Yu–Cohen expressions (which describe diffusion deposition), together with Gurman and Cheng formulae for impaction and sedimentation, respectively. The deposition values have been compared with those obtained by using the algebraic expressions recommended by ICRP66. The behavior of the deposition curves for breathing rates of 0.45, 0.78 and 1.2 m3 h−1 are similar, with a broad maximum in the range (1–100) nm. In the particle size range (1–100) nm, where the thermodynamic efficiency predominates, there are large differences among the five approaches, with ICRP values lying somewhat in the middle. Dose Conversion Factors nearly follow the regional deposition trends, Cohen–Asgharian and Ingham, close to the highest values, Yu–Cohen the lowest and ICRP, again, somewhat in the middle.