RADIONUCLIDE DATA SHEET

Cesium 137
Cs 137
Radiation:
Major Betas:
Max E (MeV)
0.512
1.173

55 protons

82 neutrons

Decay mode: Beta to Ba-137m

Avg E (MeV)
0.157
0.415

Max. Beta Range in air

Max. Beta Range in water

Major Gammas:
E (MeV)
# per 100 dis
0.662
90
(Ba-137)

# per 100 dis

95
5

1300 cm or 42.7 ft
1.5 cm

Half life:

30.17 years

Gamma constant:

4.24 mR/hr per 1 mCi at 30 cm

Avg. gamma E =

0.662 MeV

or 1.1E+04 days

Radiological data:
Min. Ingestion ALI:
Min. Inhalation ALI:

100 Ci equals 5 rem TEDE (Whole Body)

200 Ci equals 5 rem TEDE (Whole Body)

Doses:
Reported for 1 Ci over 10 cm2 of skin
? mrad/hr (gamma dose)
Point Source: 511 mrad/hr (beta dose)
Disk Source: 513 mrad/hr (beta dose)

Skin Dose:

Shielding data:
Max. range for beta:
Tenth Value Thickness for
average gamma:

Plastic
Aluminum
Concrete
Lead

=
=
=
=

0.53 cm
0.25 cm
13 cm
1.7 cm

Usable Detectors listed with estimated efficiencies

(Use efficiencies listed on instrument when available)
7 % Liq. Scint. Counter:
Ludlum 3 with pancake probe at 1 cm:
4 % Gamma Counter:
Ludlum 3 with NaI probe near surface:

Detection Information:

Action Quantities:
Bench top quantity must be less than
Containers require labeling when greater than
Rooms require posting when there is greater than
Contamination lasting more than 24 hrs require NRC notification when greater than

Updated 08/02/2005

90 %
30 %

1000 Ci
10 Ci
100 Ci
500 Ci