Low Doses: OER = 2.2
0.7
0.9
0.8
1.0
1.5
1.0
2.0
0 0.5
3.0
2.5
Aerated
Hypoxic
High Doses: OER = 3.0
0.1
1.0
5
0
30
10
20
15
25
Aerated
Hypoxic
0.01
OER
2 nm
4 nm
OH
·
H
H
O
Direct
and
Indirect
action of radiation in
biological systems - particles
Dose (Gy)
Surviving fraction
0
6
2
4
OER = 1.6
15 MeV Neutrons
Hypoxic
Aerated
0.01
0.1
1.0
0.001
1.0
2.0
3.0
particles
0.1
0.01
1.0
0.001
OER = 1.0
Aerated
Hypoxic
most important for densely ionising radiations (high LET)
Direct Action
Indirect Action