What is the weighting factor for electrons according to radiation safety standards?

In radiation safety standards, the weighting factor for electrons is established as 1. This factor reflects how electrons interact with biological tissue in terms of their potential to cause damage compared to other types of radiation, such as photons (X-rays and gamma rays) or high-energy particles like neutrons.

By assigning a weighting factor of 1, radiation safety guidelines indicate that electrons are treated with a level of risk equivalent to that of other forms of low-LET (linear energy transfer) radiation. This means they have a relatively standardized assessment of risk when evaluating exposure levels, allowing for the calculation of effective doses and contributing to dose limits in occupational and medical contexts.

Other options, such as 0, 5, or 10, do not apply to electrons as none of these values appropriately reflect their contribution to biological effects in radiation exposure scenarios. A weighting factor of 0 would suggest no risk, while 5 and 10 are reserved for much higher risk categories of radiation, such as neutrons, which have more complex interactions and a greater potential for biological damage. Hence, 1 serves as an appropriate compromise for the unique properties of electron radiation.