Occupational Radiation Protection Research Articles

Assessment of Hp(10) and Hp(0.07) doses for cardiac catheterization personnel: A 5-year retrospective study

This study estimates the mean annual occupational dose of Hp(0.07) and Hp(10) for cardiac catheterization personnel in Saudi Arabia. A retrospective analysis was conducted for 875 workers to estimate both the Hp(0.07) and Hp(10) radiation dose values using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) from 2015 to 2019. The workers were divided into 10 medical centers around the country. They consisted of cardiologists, radiologists, anesthesiologists, nurses, medical students, and medical assistants. The mean annual Hp(10) and Hp(0.07) radiation dose over the 5-year study period were 0.95 ± 0.02 mSv (range, 0.09–4.51 mSv) and 0.93 ± 0.02 mSv (range, 0.07–4.38 mSv), respectively. No single dose exceeded the International Commission on Radiological Protection dose limits. More than 94% of the workers received Hp(10) and Hp(0.07) radiation doses of less than 2 mSv. The results revealed that no statistically significant differences in Hp (0.07) (F (9,327.8) = 1.05; p = 0.391) and Hp(10) (F (9,865) = 1.60; p = 0.11) doses among the workers in the centers. The Hp(10) and Hp(0.07) values for catheterization laboratory (cath-lab) workers in this study imply that cath-labs are a safe environment in terms of occupational radiation protection. This is due to high personnel awareness of the importance of applying the “as low as reasonably achievable” principle. Yet, it is strongly recommended that cath-lab workers take every reasonable approach to keep their radiation exposure as low as practically achievable.

Knowledge levels on applications of radiation in medicine among medical practitioners in Ghana

The evaluation of medical practitioners’ knowledge levels of radiation and safety is essential for planning diagnostic procedures and treatment in radiation medicine. This study sought to identify levels of knowledge and the predictor variables influencing knowledge of medical practitioners on applications of radiation in medicine in Ghana. Online survey was conducted with Google Form consisting of 37-point questionnaire highlighting on physicians’ background information, professional experience, knowledge on radiation usage in medicine, radiation protection and safety. Evaluation of the data was performed by descriptive analysis using frequency distributions and percentages. Among 152 respondents who participated in the study, specialists and consultants made up a higher representation of 46.7%. Two-thirds (64.0%) of the respondents who had received refresher training in the application of radiation in medicine exhibited full knowledge in the field. Medical practitioners who had practiced between 21–25 years were also found to demonstrate full knowledge of the application of radiation in medicine, while 36.6% of those who had practiced for < 6 years demonstrated extensive knowledge. Majority of the medical practitioners, constituting 39.5%, exhibited full knowledge in medical radiation protection and safety. This level of knowledge was found higher than what was demonstrated for general and occupational radiation protection. With medical imaging forming a key component in the diagnosis of several medical conditions, education in the field of radiation usage and radiological protection and safety should be a subject of periodic training for medical practitioners regardless of their level of training or duration of practice

ASSESSMENT OF INTEGRITY AND LEAD-EQUIVALENCE OF SHIELDED GARMENTS USING TWO-DIMENSIONAL X-RAY IMAGES FROM A COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY SCANNER.

Shielded garments are widely recommended for occupational radiation protection in diagnostic and interventional radiology. This study investigated a novel method for efficiently verifying shielded garment integrity while simultaneously acquiring data for lead-equivalence measurements, using two-dimensional topogram images from computed tomography (CT) scanners. This method was tested against more-conventional measurements with superficial and orthovoltage radiotherapy treatment beams, for 12 shielded garments containing 3 different lead-free shielding materials. Despite some energy-dependent results, all shielded garments approximately achieved their specified lead-equivalence for the energy range expected during clinical use for fluoroscopy procedures, except for three shielded skirts that required two layers of material to be overlapped at the front. All lead-equivalence measurements from CT topograms agreed with or conservatively underestimated the kV narrow-beam results. This method is potentially useful for independently assessing the shielding properties of new shielded garments and performing annual checks for damage or degradation of existing shielded garments.

Challenges in Occupational Dosimetry for Interventional Radiologists.

This review presents the challenges met by interventional radiologists in occupational dosimetry. The issues mentioned are derived from the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, the CIRSE guidelines on "Occupational radiation protection in interventional radiology" and the requirements of the European directive on Basic Safety Standards. The criteria for a proper use of personal dosimeters and the need to introduce optimization actions in some cases are set out in this review. The pros and cons of the electronic real-time dosimeters are outlined and the potential pitfalls associated with the use of personal dosimeters summarized. The electronic dosimeters, together with the appropriate software, allow an active optimization of the interventional procedures.

Semi-automatic positioning of the protective screen based on integration with C-arm X-ray device

In fluoroscopy guided interventional procedures, a ceiling suspended screen is used to protect personnel for scattered X-ray radiation arising from patient treatment. The correct positioning of the screen is crucial for proper occupational radiation protection. The proposed solution in this paper provides reliable and efficient protection from scattered radiation, based on an X-ray device and the protective screen merging into one system via an appropriate interface. After the initial manual positioning, automatic repositioning of the screen is executed, by curving the screen laterally, clockwise or counterclockwise, and then with the upper or lower edge forward. All potential clinical situations were analyzed, considering the need for screen position correction: the semi-automatic solution is designed and realized to follow medical procedure in order to maintain an efficient level of staff radiation protection. Furthermore, the assessment of the occupational radiation dose, provided for screen position optimization, will be included into the radiation dose structural report. With application of the universal interface, the presented solution can be applied not only to newly manufactured ones, but to existing C-arm X-ray devices as well.

Helping to know if you are properly protected while working in interventional cardiology

Occupational protection is still a challenge for interventional cardiology. One of the main problems is the occasional improper use of the ceiling suspended screen. We present a methodology to audit the correct use of the shielding using active electronic dosimeters. To improve the protection, we suggest the use of an alert based on the ratio between the occupational dose per procedure, measured by a personal electronic dosimeter over the lead apron, and the dose measured by an unshielded dosimeter, located at the C-arm. The new electronic dosimeters and the automatic dose management systems allow processing the dosimetric data for individual procedures and for the radiation events, sending the values (wireless) to a central database. We selected six interventional cardiologists and analysed 385 interventional procedures involving about 30 000 radiation events. Our results suggest that for individual procedures, standard values of the ratio between operator dose and the C-arm reference dose, should be between 1%–2% for a proper use of the shielding. Percentage values ≥5%–10% for individual procedures, require an analysis of the different radiation events to identify the lack of occupational protection and suggest corrective actions. In our sample, half of the operators should improve the use of the shielding in around 20% of the procedures. Using this ratio as an alert to operators allows optimising occupational radiation protection and discriminating between high occupational doses derived from complex procedures and high doses due to the improper use of the protective screen.

Review of the effectiveness of internal dosimetry monitoring regimes

Routine monitoring is an important element of any occupational radiation protection programme to be able to determine how effective this protection is in practice. As well as providing information on normal operational conditions and routine worker dose uptakes, these programmes are also required to be able to detect the occurrence of abnormal or unexpected exposures to radionuclides, where these risks are deemed to be present in the workplace. Various monitoring techniques and methods are available and can be applied to the direct monitoring of workers or of the workplace. For many of the less radio-toxic radionuclides simple monitoring programmes are often more than sufficient to demonstrate compliance with operational and regulatory controls; however, multiple programmes, operated in parallel, are often required for the more radio-toxic radionuclides—e.g. Plutonium and americium—to be able to provide assurance that the potential risks of exposure are reliably and adequately controlled. When a potential exposure event is detected then further investigations are instigated to confirm whether an intake has occurred and to estimate the resultant dose. This paper presents an empirical review of the records of all such investigations over an eighteen-year period at the Harwell site, Oxfordshire, UK. The purposes of this review were to determine the relative effectiveness of different monitoring methods in being able to detect potential exposure events; and how efficient each method was in detecting potential exposures which, following investigation, were confirmed as real intakes. The analyses revealed that routine faecal sampling provided the better performance characteristics in terms of combined effectiveness and efficiency; and that the ability to detect potential exposures (at levels of up to 6 mSv) in the absence of any routine monitoring programme was limited. There was a very low incidence of potential exposures being detected by more than one monitoring technique, which emphasises the importance of operating multiple monitoring methods in order to optimise the probability and confidence of detecting potential exposures.

A study to assess the knowledge and practice of medical professionals on radiation protection in interventional radiology.

Objective:Ionizing radiation has been extensively used in medical procedures throughout the world. Such interventional radiological procedures could result in occupational exposure that needs urgent control. Therefore, MPs (medical professionals) should receive education and appropriate training on occupational radiation protection. In this context, the present study is aimed to investigate the MPs' knowledge and practice regarding radiation protection principles during interventional radiological procedures.Material and Methods:A descriptive questionnaire-based study was carried out among 215 MPs involved in interventional fluoroscopy procedures. The practice of 31 MPs was studied using a checklist based on ALARA principles and ICRP guidelines.Results:A total of 43.3% and 45.1% answered correctly for knowledge and practice. However, the difference between radiation protection knowledge and practice between the physicians and nurses was statistically significant. The knowledge and practice survey of MPs demonstrated that nurses rarely adhered to radiation-protection measures.Conclusion:The present study reflects the lack of knowledge and practice concerning radiation protection concepts among the nurses. This deficiency needs to be resolved by periodic practical radiation protection courses in the curriculum of medicine.

Detection of Radon, Radon Daughters and Thoron Daughters in Abu Tartur open pit Phosphate Mine, Egypt

In this study, Abu Tartur open pit Phosphate mine and underground tunnels have been studied from radiation safety point of view. Radon, Radon daughters and Thoron daughters were measured by collecting (31) samples from (5) main sites that represent the process of Phosphate mining. Radon, Radon daughters and Thoron daughters in case of open pit mining results ranged from 1.37 to 131.52 Bq m-3, 0.000099 to 0.0024 WL, and 0 to 0.92 Bq.m-3 respectively. For postpone tunnels, Radon, Radon daughters, Thoron daughters results ranged from 411.55 to 2539.27 Bq m-3, 0.056 to 0.37 WL, and 1.26 to 3.89 Bq.m-3 respectively. Also gamma radiation levels, surface contamination and effective annual dose were measured. Gamma radiation levels were ranged from 0.07 to 0.6 mSv/h for open pit mine and from 0.24 to 0.5 mSv/h for tunnels. Surface contamination measurements gave normal readings for open pit mining and 7.1 in underground mine. And effective annual dose ranged from 0.033 to 0.153 mSv/y for open pit and 4.948 mSv/y for tunnels. The results in case of open pit mine are lower than permissible limits determined by UNSCEAR, 2010 while exceeds the permissible limits in case of underground tunnels. So the open pit mining is much useful from point of occupational radiation protection view

OCCUPATIONAL DOSE AND RADIATION PROTECTION PRACTICE IN UAE: A RETROSPECTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL COHORT STUDY (2002-2016).

A two-phased retrospective cross-sectional study analysed the occupational dose and radiation protection practice among medical workers in two hospitals in the UAE. Phase 1 evaluated radiation protection practice using a questionnaire, whereas phase 2 assessed the occupational dose. Readings of 952 thermoluminescence dosimeters were analyzed. The result showed 52% of medical workers have a good level of radiation protection practice. Readings of 952 thermoluminescence dosimeters were analyzedAverage annual effective dose per worker ranged from 0.39 to 0.83mSv. Cardiologists and nurses displayed a higher average of occupational radiation dose compared to other workers. There were no significant correlations between radiation protection practice and hospital, occupation or department. Finally, the occupational dose was within the international and national limits, but the reduction of radiation dose to cardiologist and nurses is essential. Moreover, training is essential to promote radiation safe practice among medical workers.

Occupational Radiation Protection Aspects of Alkaline Leach Uranium in Situ Recovery (ISR) Facilities in the United States.

In situ recovery or in situ leach (ISR/ISL) uranium facilities, also referred to in the past as "uranium solution mining" have operated since the late 1960s in the US and in recent years have accounted for over 70% of US production and, internationally, approximately half of worldwide uranium supplies. Note that throughout this paper, the uranium in situ recovery process, also known as in situ leach, will be abbreviated as "ISR." This paper presents a summary of the occupational radiation protection aspects of typical ISR processes being employed in the United States today that have traditionally used alkaline-based uranium recovery solutions known as lixiviants. The paper describes the health physics and associated monitoring programs necessary to adequately measure and control radiological doses to workers based on the radiological character of these processes. Although many radiological characteristics are similar to that of conventional mills, conventional-type tailings as such are not generated. However, liquid and solid by-product materials may be generated and impounded, which can result in sources of occupational exposure. Some special monitoring considerations are required due to the manner in which Rn gas is involved in the process. The major aspects of the health physics and radiation protection programs that have been developed at these facilities over many years are discussed and listed in the Conclusion section of the paper.

The new lens dose limit: implication for occupational radiation protection.

The aim of this article was to explore the implications of the new Euratom dose limit for occupational radiation protection in the context of medical occupational radiation exposures. The European Directive 2013/59/Euratom takes into account the new recommendations on reduction in the dose limit for the lens of the eye for planned occupational exposures released in 2012 by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP 118). Different dose-monitoring procedures and devices were considered. Occupational eye lens doses reported by previous studies were analyzed, mainly considering workers involved in interventional procedures with X-rays. The current status of eye lens radiation protection and the main methods for dose reduction were investigated. The analysis showed that the workers, potentially exceeding the new limit, are clinical staff performing interventional procedures with a relatively high X-ray dose. Regarding radiological protection issues, the considered literature reports that the proper use of personal protective equipment may reduce the eye lens absorbed dose. The evaluation of the occupational eye lens dose is essential to establish which method of personal dose monitoring should be preferred. Furthermore, education and training about the right use of personal protective equipment are important for medical staff working with ionizing radiation.

DESIGN OF A SENSOR NETWORK NODE FOR AIR QUALITY MONITORING IN NUCLEAR INSTALLATIONS

Nowadays, the Sensor Networks offer many benefits to the environment and humanity, starting with monitoring environmental phenomena, monitoring and control of industrial facilities/processes (especially in Nuclear Power Plants , NPPs) and following up on the health status of the elderly. In nuclear field, radiation monitoring systems and networks are among the most important systems used to the assessment of nuclear safety and radiation protection processes. Furthermore these networks are used as inspection tool of occupational radiation protection to predict any states of diffraction or deviation of the correct operating factors to maintain the integrity of the internal or the surrounding environment of the nuclear facilities. This paper presents a prototype (hand made prototype) of a sensor network node (SN) for air quality monitoring system which can be used indoors or outdoors. The proposed SN is based on the AVR microcontroller and is characterized by the small size, low power consumption, simplicity, and lower cost. The microcontroller, µC, performs specific tasks, transfers data, and controls the functionality of the SN. It is often used as the brain in many embedded systems because of its great abilities, flexibility, ease of programming, low cost, and low power consumption. So that it was a compelling argument to use µC in the design of the sensor network.

Strategies to optimise occupational radiation protection in interventional cardiology using simultaneous registration of patient and staff doses

The International Commission on Radiological Protection recommends that occupational protection and patient protection be managed in an integrated approach. This paper describes the experience and the initial results of a system able to register and to process simultaneously staff and patient doses in interventional cardiology and the practical use of this system in the optimisation of occupational exposure. The system used simultaneously collects and manages patient and staff doses for all radiation events. The personal electronic dosimeters worn over the protective apron of health professionals working inside catheterisation laboratories can send (wireless) doses and dose rate values to an X-hub and provide the operators inside the catheterisation rooms with real-time information. Individual and global reports for all the health professionals may be periodically obtained from the system to help with the optimisation. The results for eight cardiologists, one fellow and four nurses for a total of 2468 interventional cardiology procedures and 3207 occupational dose values collected over one year are presented here. Annual doses Hp(10) measured over the apron for cardiologists ranged from 0.3 to 6.3 mSv. For the cardiologist, the ratio between occupational doses (over the apron) and patient doses ranged from 0.05 to 0.23 μSv Gy−1 cm−2, with a mean value of 0.12 μSv Gy−1 cm−2. The system allows defining optimisation strategies by comparing the results between the different operators while considering the workload and complexity of the procedures (based on the total Kerma Area Product managed by the different operators). The registration of the date and time of the occupational radiation doses allows auditing the use of the personal dosimeters worn by the various operators.

Radiation situation dynamics at the Andreeva Bay site for temporary storage of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste over the period 2002–2016

The Coastal Technical Base (CTB) №569 at Andreeva Bay was established in the early 1960s and intended for the refueling of nuclear submarine reactors and temporary storage of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and radioactive waste (RW). In 2001, the base was transferred to the Russian Ministry for Atomic Energy and the site remediation began. The paper describes in detail the radiation situation change at the technical site in Andreeva Bay from 2002–2016, the period of preparation for the most critical phase of remedial work: removal of spent fuel assemblies. The analysis of aggregated indicators and data mining were used. The article suggests the best number and location of checkpoints needed to ensure sufficient accuracy of the radiation situation description. The fractal properties of the radiation field are studied using the Hurst index. The relationship between checkpoints was assessed using the method of searching for checkpoint communities. The decrease in the integral of the ambient dose equivalent rate (ADER) at the technical site was evaluated by the method of time series decomposition. Three components of time series were identified: trend, seasonal and residual. The trend of the ADER integral over the technical site is a monotonic decreasing function, where the initial and final values differ tenfold. Taking into account that 137Cs dominates the radiation situation on-site, it is clear that the ADER due to the radionuclide decay will have decreased by 1.4 times. It is estimated that only a small proportion of 137Cs has migrated off-site. Therefore, approximately a sevenfold decrease in dose rate is mainly due to remediation activities of personnel. During the year, the seasonal component varies the ADER integral by a factor of two, due to snowfall. The residual component reflects the uncertainty of the ADER integral calculation and phases of active SNF and RW management. The methods developed are used to support the optimization of remediation work as well as regulatory supervision of occupational radiation protection.

Investigation of the status of occupational radiation protection in Malawian hospitals.

The main objective of this study was to explore the occupational radiation protection program in three hospitals in Malawi and discover how radiation protection measures for workers are being implemented in their radiology departments. A questionnaire was administered to heads of X-ray departments for Kamuzu Central Hospital, Bwaila Hospital and Mtengo wa Nthenga Hospital to investigate occupational radiation protection practices in their departments. The study discovered that hospitals lack radiation protection programs which covers a number of critical issues including quality assurance and personnel dose monitoring. The implementation of basic elements of occupational radiation protection in Malawian hospitals is inadequate.

Occupational Exposure and Radiation Protection in the Medical Field

Occupational Exposure and Radiation Protection in the Medical Field

Make Radiation Protection a Habit

This review describes the basic concepts and methods for optimization of occupational dose in the interventional suite. In fluoroscopy, the source of virtually all radiation exposure to the operator is scattered radiation from the patient. All other things being equal, reducing patient radiation dose will reduce operator and staff dose. Most tools and methods of occupational radiation protection are entirely operator dependent. These methods must be used routinely and properly to be effective. Your occupational dose depends on how well you follow good radiation protection practices and on the kinds of procedures you do. The only way to know your own occupational dose is to wear your dosimeters for every case. If proper protection practices are followed and appropriate protection tools are used, annual effective dose for an interventionalist should be well below 10mSv/y, and will more likely be in the range of 2-4mSv/y. However, if proper protection practices and tools are not used, annual effective doses may be much higher. You should review your own doses periodically.

A Useful Gadget to Reduce the Radiation Dose of Interventionist's Hands.

Increased demand for interventional radiology techniques has interventionists performing a large number of these procedures. Measurements and calculations have shown that the radiation doses received by these specialists can exceed the threshold of radiation-induced deterministic effects unless radiation protection procedures and devices are used. Proper usage of radiation protection devices can protect them from radiation-induced effects, even with a high workload. Occupational radiation protection entails proper training of interventionists to increase their awareness about available appropriate protection tools and equipment, and devices that can be used to minimize exposure, such as needle holders, tubing extensions, and injectors. This study introduces a device that can be used to fix the catheter to prevent the physician from holding the catheter by hand. The authors, also, discuss the importance of radiation protection training along with the training on new medical equipment, which can be applied to reduce the radiation dose.

IAEA Tec Doc-1731 'Implications for Occupational Radiation Protection of the New Dose Limit for the Lens of the Eye'.

IAEA Tec Doc-1731 'Implications for Occupational Radiation Protection of the New Dose Limit for the Lens of the Eye'.