Personnel Radiation Monitoring Research Articles

Investigation of Awareness Level about TLD Badge among Radiology Students

Aim and objective: To investigate the overall knowledge and awareness about TLD Badge among radiology students. Method and materials: MCQ questionnaire based data collected through Google forms. Out of 180 participants was participated, 176 were responded. Result: Maximum participants did not categorise the TLD badge about personnel monitoring and area monitoring, radiation monitoring and radiation protection etc. Discussion: Overall knowledge and awareness level about the TLD Badge is very less among radiology students. Being as radiology students, all must know the radiation safety as well radiation monitoring process. Conclusion: Use of personnel radiation monitoring device is an integral part of radiology practice. Keywords: TLD Badge, Personnel monitoring device, Radiation protection, Dosimeter.

Assessment of Knowledge of Radiography Students about Personnel Radiation Monitoring Devices and Their Use.

Background Personnel radiation monitoring equipment monitors the level of exposure to radiation and personnel will have to wear a personnel device for radiation detection while working. Personnel monitoring equipment is usually worn by a worker for 3 months. Aim This study aims to evaluate the knowledge of radiology students about personnel radiation monitoring devices and their use. Materials and Methods A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was performed in the College of Paramedical Sciences, Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Delhi–Road Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. This questionnaire-based study was performed for the period time of 1 year from June 2020 to May 2021. A validated questionnaire was circulated among undergraduate and postgraduate radiology students. Result In this study the questionnaire was filled by a total of 140 students who were pursuing bachelor's and master's degree programs, including 61% (86) males and 39% (54) females from the radiology department. According to the data master's knowledge levels are greater than the bachelor's level. The level of knowledge of monitoring devices among MRIT (M.Sc. in Radiology and Imaging Technology) second year (81%) is more than those of MRIT first year (80%), BRIT (B.Sc. in Radiology and Imaging Technology) third year (65%), and BRIT second year (66%). Conclusion It is concluded that there is a lack of awareness about personnel radiation monitoring systems. The level of knowledge of personnel radiation monitoring devices among students remains at a medium level from the results of our students as it has been concluded that master's knowledge level is greater than the bachelor's level. The level of knowledge of monitoring devices increases with the age of the students and the year completed.

THE PRACTICE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF RADIATION MONITORING OF RADIOGRAPHERS IN TERTIARY HOSPITALS IN SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA: A REASSESSMENT

Background: Radiation monitoring is an essential radiation safety practice that helps to determine the cumulative radiation dose absorbed by radiographers, ensuring that it does not exceed permissible limits. Failure in practice and implementation of radiation monitoring exposes radiographers to stochastic effects of radiation exposure, increasing the hazard radiation workers are exposed to. Objective: To reassess the practice and implementation of radiation monitoring of radiographers working in south-eastern tertiary hospitals in Nigeria. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey involving 102 radiographers from 5 selected South-Eastern tertiary hospitals. Proportional stratified random sampling was used to select the radiographers from each tertiary hospital while a semi-structured questionnaire in line with the specific objectives was used as the method for data collection. Information obtained from the respondents was related to established radiation monitoring requirements and tables were used for data presentation. Results: With a perfect response rate from the 102 respondents, personnel radiation monitoring was available to only 31% (n = 32) of the respondents with 59% (n = 19) using Thermoluminiscent dosimeters. Even though a majority (71.9%, n=23) wore their dosimeters daily, only half (50%, n = 16) of those monitored had routine device retrieval and feedback of reading at the appropriate time. Employees did not demand radiation monitoring history from the radiographers before employment and only 10% (n = 3) of those monitored claimed they had dosimetry records. Lastly, only 6.3% (n = 2) of radiographers have been on leave as a direct result of over-exposure to radiation. Conclusion: Personnel radiation monitoring practices of radiographers in South-Eastern tertiary hospitals still remain below internationally acceptable standards. Comparing the findings of this study with a similar study carried out 10 years ago, there has been little improvement in the radiation monitoring of radiographers. The management of tertiary health institutions should ensure that personnel monitoring devices are made available to radiographers, and stricter rules should be placed on the daily wearing of dosimeters.

Korean dentists' perceptions and attitudes regarding radiation safety and protection.

To investigate dentists' perceptions and attitudes regarding radiation safety in dental practices in Korea. 207 dentists participated in this study. An anonymous survey was conducted regarding the following areas: years of practice, characteristics of the radiography equipment, knowledge of diagnostic reference levels, prescription of dental radiographs, use of radiation protection procedures and participation in the radiation safety program. Data were evaluated according to frequency distribution; the χ test; and Fisher's exact test, which was used to investigate statistical significances (p < 0.05) between those with less than 10 years of experience in practice vs those with 10 years of experience or more. Approximately 83% of the dentists who responded to our survey participated in the radiation safety program, but only 58% were satisfied with it. There were statistically significant differences in the installation of X-ray units, learning pathway of diagnostic reference levels, prescription of dental radiography for new adult patients, use of personnel radiation monitoring systems and participation in the radiation safety program between those with less than 10 years of experience in practice vs those with 10 years of experience or more (p < 0.05). Dentists with less than 10 years of experience were less attentive to radiation protection procedures. Therefore, taking both the duration of experience of dentists and the installed X-ray equipment into consideration, continuous and efficient education for both dental workers and patients regarding radiation safety and protection is recommended.

Evaluation of Personnel Radiation Monitoring in Selected Hospitals in South – South and South – East Region of Nigeria

Evaluation of Personnel Radiation Monitoring in Selected Hospitals in South – South and South – East Region of Nigeria

Analysis of Personnel Radiation Monitoring Results during NPP Outages

Analysis of Personnel Radiation Monitoring Results during NPP Outages

Radiation protection practices

This study was carried out to assess the standard of personnel radiation protection practices in industrial radiography in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. A non-experimental prospective survey design was used for the study. A sample size of 11 inspection Companies and 26 radiation workers were randomly selected for the survey. The objectives of the study were to determine the standard of personnel radiation monitoring practices, training given to personnel, quality assurance practices and to assess the adequacy of the work area design used for industrial radiography. Results showed that personnel are provided with radiation monitoring devices and are routinely monitored. They undergo medical check ups and attend periodic seminars. However, majority of the personnel were not fundamentally trained in radiography prior to industrial radiography work. Regular quality assurance tests were done and the work area design was adequate. Results suggest that adequate fundamental training of personnel in general radiography prior to industrial radiography work will further improve the standard of personnel radiation protection practices in industrial radiography. Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 54 (3-4) 2008: pp. 61-65

SU-FF-T-301: A Practical Method Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Existing Vault Shielding for IMRT

Purpose: To re-evaluate shielding of the existing linac vault due to the recent implementation of IMRT in a community center. While the prescribed dose per fraction to the treatment volume remains the same, IMRT delivery requires a much higher number of monitor units (MU). It is estimated that the required number of MU needed for IMRT treatment increases by a factor of two to five over conventional techniques. This increase in MU per fraction has a direct impact on the shielding of the vaults used to deliver IMRT. Method and Materials: Two methods were used for the evaluation. The first method incorporated a radiation survey, a modified Modulation Scaling Factor (MSFmod) and a gantry use factor. The results were compared to the current regulatory guidelines. The second method analyzed the area and personnel film badges, by reviewing the records of the area and personnel radiation monitoring for a two year period. During the first year, the prostate patients received only conventional 3D treatments with 15MV photons. In the second year, IMRT utilizing 6MV photons was offered to all prostate patients. The area monitors were placed on the door to the vault. Technologists assigned to this vault before and after IMRT introduction were also identified Results: Radiation exposure results of the area and personnel monitoring decreased from the first year to the second, due to reduced production of neutrons from the decrease in use of 15MV photons. Radiation surveys identified two previously unidentified areas of radiation levels above background, but not in excess of the regulatory limits for radiation exposure. Conclusion: The radiation survey demonstrated that the existing shielding was effective for the increased IMRT workload. Standard personnel and area dosimeters, available from commercial dosimetry vendors, can also be used effectively to demonstrate and document continued compliance with evolving treatment modalities.

Investigation of elevated whole body radiation monitoring results in a research environment.

When a personnel radiation monitoring device (badge) report indicates that a significant, elevated exposure has been received by an individual, an immediate and thorough investigation must be initiated to determine if the exposure is real, identity the source of the exposure, and to take appropriate steps to eliminate or control further exposures. The key points to consider in such an investigation are provided.

A Study of Mortality and Morbidity Among Persons Occupationally Exposed to ⩽50 mSv in a Year: Phase I, Mortality Through 1984

Abstract A retrospective follow-up study is in progress of mortality and morbidity among persons who reportedly received greater than or equal to 5 rem [50 millisieverts (mSv)] of penetrating ionizing radiation in any calendar year of employment at all facilities operated for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) or its predecessor agencies. The purpose is to identify any adverse health outcomes and to determine if any such outcomes are related to prior occupational radiation exposure at these facilities. A population of 3145 present and former civilian employees at DOE facilities and at the U.S. Navy's Nuclear Reactor Propulsion Program (NRPP) who meet the radiation exposure criteria were identified from personnel radiation monitoring records maintained at the facilities for the years 1943 through 1978. Vital status through 1984 was determined for 86.6 percent of this population; 588 deaths (18.6%) were observed. The median career external radiation dose for individuals in the population through 1978 was 1...

Book reviewsManual on Radiation Protection in Hospitals and General Practice, Vol. 5, Personnel Monitoring Services. By MinderW. and OsbornS. B., pp. 56, 1980 (World Health Organization, Geneva), Sw. fr. 9.00. ISBN 92–4–154042–7

This little book has been prepared jointly by ILO, IAEA and WHO to meet the frequent requests from member states for technical advice on the establishment of the personnel radiation monitoring services which are featured in international recommendations and obligatory in many countries.

Personnel exposures associated with industrial uses of ionising radiation

The results of a personnel radiation monitoring programme conducted by the Division of Radiological Protection in Bombay, India are described. The results of the programme indicate that the percentage of radiation workers in the dose range 0.01 to 0.05 Sv (1 to 5 rem) is on average higher in India than for other countries.

The space-charge dosimeter: General principles of a new method of radiation detection

When dielectrics under a high field are exposed to high-energy radiation, carriers are separated and space charge results. The change in potential at the dielectric surface can be measured non-destructively and such a change is initially linear with radiation dose. This provides a principle for radiation dosimetry not previously exploited, here named space-charge (SC) dosimetry. One compact, direct-reading form, based on the metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor, is described and the principles for improving this form by orders of magnitude are set out. The present level of sensivity [measuring a fraction of a Rad (SiO 2)] is well adapted for use in radiology, bean diagnostics, space radiation monitoring and other applications requiring close-spaced integrating dosimeters. With development, the method could be used in personnel radiation monitoring.

Personnel radiation monitoring in the radiodiagnostic department

Buchan (1968) has related some comments regarding personnel monitoring in diagnostic radiology that we would like to consider further. His correspondence is to be commended, because it reminds us that we in diagnostic radiology must continually review our radiation safety procedures. He is correct in saying that a film badge cannot measure the dose to the critical organ—in most cases it would be difficult enough to identify the critical organ. But, we disagree with his suggestion that the personnel monitor is a “site monitor”. During the development of the specialty of health physics a number of terms have come into use which have been identified by various authors. For example: (a) Environmental monitoring. Surveillance, through radiation sampling networks, of the environment in public areas for the purpose of providing data for estimating public exposure and doses relating to environmental radioactivity (Radioassay Procedures for Environmental Samples, 1967). (b) Area monitoring. Routine monitoring of t...

New Equipment, Materials and Techniques Fully Automatic Instruments for Coding and Reading Personnel Radiation Monitoring Films

(1964). New Equipment, Materials and Techniques Fully Automatic Instruments for Coding and Reading Personnel Radiation Monitoring Films. The Journal of Photographic Science: Vol. 12, No. 5, pp. 284-286.

Auttomatic nuclear emulsion scanner.

An automatic nuclear emulsion scanner has been designed and constructed to scan the exposed film in personnel radiation monitoring badges. The scanner detects a portion of proton-recoil tracks in the film emulsion caused by incident neutron flux. The scanning speed, at present, is comparable with that of the visual reader and provides about the same statistics. The scanner uses a special closedcircuit TV camera system to view, scan, and count the proton-recoil tracks in a magnified image of a dark-field illuminated nuclear emulsion. The camera video signals are analyzed in a computer that uses two ultrasonic delay lines for signal storage. The computer discriminates against single grains, clumped grains, and unusual antifacts in the emulsion. Tracks are detected on the basis of their contrast against their background and their projected length in the emulsion. Field evaluation tests at Brookhaven National Laboratory indicate that the track count is a linear function of neutron flux. The spectral response curve of the scanner shows a proportionately greater track count at the higher energy levels. In addition, the scanner track count is fail-safe for moderate exposures. Operational characteristics of the automatic nuclear emulsion scanner are discussed. (auth)