X-ray and Radium Protection Committee

Abstract

HomeRadiologyVol. 3, No. 2 PreviousNext X-Ray and Radium Protection Committee ReportsX-ray and Radium Protection CommitteePublished Online:Aug 1 1924https://doi.org/10.1148/3.2.171bMoreSectionsPDF ToolsImage ViewerAdd to favoritesCiteTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked In AbstractChairmanSir Humphry Rolleston, K.c.B., President of the Royal College of Physicians.MembersSir Archibald Reid, K.B.E., C.M.G. (St. Thomas's Hospital).Dr. Robert Knox (King's College Hospital).Dr. G. Harrison Orton (S1. Mary's Hospital).Dr. S. Gilbert Scott (London Hospital).Dr. J. C. Mottram (Pathologist to the Radium Institute).Dr. G. W. C. Kaye, O.B.E. (National Physical Laboratory).Mr. Cuthbert Andrews.Honorary SecretariesDr. Stanley Melville (St. George's Hospital).Prof. S. Russ (Middlesex Hospital).Address% Royal Society of Medicine, Wimpole Street, London, W.i.The X-ray and Radium Protection Committee presents a revised edition of its preliminary report first issued in July, 1921.The new report contains a considerable number of alterations and additions based largely on the experience of the National Physical Laboratory in its inspection work carried out for the last two years or more in co-operation with the Committee.Copies of the report may be had on application to the Director, National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, Middlesex.IntroductionThe danger of over-exposure to X-rays and radium can be avoided by the provision of efficient protection and suitable working conditions.The known effects on the operator to be guarded against are:1. Visible injuries to the superficial tissues, which may result in permanent damage.2. Derangements of internal organs and changes in the blood. These are especially important, as their earlier manifestation is often unrecognized.General RecommendationsIt is the duty of those in charge of X-ray and radium departments to ensure efficient protection and suitable working conditions for the personnel.The following precautions are recommended:1. Not more than seven working hours a day.2. Sundays and two half-days off duty each week, to be spent as much as possible out of doors.3. An annual holiday of one month or two separate fortnights.Sisters and nurses, employed as whole-time workers in X-ray and radium departments, should not be called upon for any other hospital service.Protective MeasuresIt cannot be insisted upon too strongly that a primary precaution in all X-ray work, whether with stationary or portable sets, is to surround the X-ray bulb itself as completely as possible with adequate protective material, except for an aperture as small as possible for the work in hand.The protective measures recommended are dealt with under the following sections:I. X-rays for diagnostic purposes. II.X-rays for superficial (low-voltage) therapy.III.X-rays for deep (high-voltage) therapy.IV.Electrical precautions in X-ray departments.V.Ventilation of X-ray departments.VI.X-rays for industrial and research purposes.VII.Radium therapy.Article HistoryPublished in print: Aug 1924 FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsRecommended Articles RSNA Education Exhibits RSNA Case Collection Vol. 3, No. 2 Metrics Altmetric Score PDF download