Radiation Safety Issues Research Articles

Radiopharmaceuticals: An insight into the latest advances in medical uses and regulatory perspectives

The growing armamentarium of potential radioisotopes and increased demand for radiopharmaceuticals (RPs) have catapulted their biomedical applications on a trajectory of higher growth in the modern healthcare establishment. Nuclear medicine technology is now regarded as an essential tool for diagnosis, palliation, therapy, and theranostic applications. The associated radiation safety issues need to be emphasized in the form of adequate regulatory action to warrant their safe and effective use. The RPs attracts considerable attention from both pharmaceutical and nuclear regulators due to their constituent pharmaceutical and radioactive components. So, a critical examination of applications of RPs, the latest advances in their development, and the existing regulatory guidelines for RPs have been carried out. This review presents a brief overview of RPs and recent studies on their diagnostic, therapeutic, and theranostic applications. Comprehensive comparative information on regulatory perspectives of RPs in major pharmaceutical jurisdictions such as the United States (US), the European Union (EU), and India reveals ambiguities and heterogeneity. The present studies discuss the importance of RPs in the current healthcare domain, their recent applications, and strive to intensify the concern for an ambient and harmonized regulatory setup.

Measurement of Radiation Exposure to Caregivers of Patients with Thyroid Diseases Treated with Iodine-131: A Review

This review paper aimed to examine radiation safety issues related to relatives as well as caregivers of patients with thyroid diseases treated with radioiodine (I-131). During I-131 therapy for thyroid disorders such as hyperthyroidism, patients receiving I-131 doses (200-800 MBq) emit radioactive radiations which pose a prospective risk to other people. Critical groups are patients’ visitors and families, especially children. Following the updated international guidelines, the doses received by members of the public as a proportion of the therapy of a patient have been decreased. The public annual dose limits are 1 mSv, although higher doses are permitted for adults in the patient’s family, provided that the maximum 5 mSv is not surpassed for 5 years. Without compliance with the current recommendations, extended hospitalizations for patients are essential. Family members should therefore limit close interactions with an individual for some duration following thyroid therapy with I-131.

An innovative technique of harvesting soil gas as a highly efficient source of 222Rn for calibration applications in a walk-in type chamber: part-1

The paper describes a novel technique to harvest 222Rn laden air from soil gas of natural origin as a highly efficient source of 222Rn for calibration applications in a walk-in type 222Rn calibration chamber. The technique makes use of a soil probe of about 1 m to draw soil gas, through a dehumidifier and a delay volume, using an air pump to fill the calibration chamber. 222Rn concentration in the range of a few hundred Bq m−3 to a few tens of kBq m−3 was easily attained in the chamber of volume 22.7 m3 within a short pumping duration of 1 h. A new technique referred to as “semi-dynamic mode of operation” in which soil gas is injected into the calibration chamber at regular intervals to compensate for the loss of 222Rn due to decay and leak is discussed. Harvesting soil gas has many important advantages over the traditional methods of 222Rn generation for calibration experiments using finite sources such as solid flow-through, powdered emanation, and liquid sources. They are: (1) soil gas serves as an instantaneous natural source of 222Rn, very convenient to use unlike the high strength 226Ra sources used in the calibration laboratories, and has no radiation safety issues, (2) does not require licensing from the regulatory authority, and (3) it can be used continuously as a non-depleting reservoir of 222Rn, unlike other finite sources. The newly developed technique would eliminate the need for expensive radioactive sources and thereby offers immense application in a variety of day to day experiments—both in students and research laboratories.

A periodic pumping technique of soil gas for 222Rn stabilization in large calibration chambers: part 2\u2014theoretical formulation and experimental validation

In an adjoining publication, we demonstrated the novel technique to harvest soil gas of natural origin as a highly efficient source of 222Rn for calibration applications in a large volume 222Rn calibration chamber. Its advantages over the use of conventional high strength 226Ra sources, such as the capability to serve as a non-depleting reservoir of 222Rn and achieve the desired concentration inside the calibration chamber within a very short time, devoid of radiation safety issues in source handling and licensing requirements from the regulatory authority, were discussed in detail. It was also demonstrated that stability in the 222Rn concentration in large calibration chambers could be achieved within ± 20% deviation from the desired value through a semi-dynamic mode of injection in which 222Rn laden air was periodically pumped to compensate for its loss due to leak and decay. The necessity of developing a theory for determining the appropriate periodicity of pumping was realized to get good temporal stability with a universally acceptable deviation of ≤ ± 10% in the 222Rn concentration. In this paper, we present a mathematical formulation to determine the injection periods (injection pump ON and OFF durations) for the semi-dynamic operation to achieve long term temporal stability in the 222Rn concentration in the chamber. These computed pumping parameters were then used to efficiently direct the injection of soil gas into the chamber. We present the mathematical formulation, and its experimental validations in a large volume calibration chamber (22 m3). With this, the temporal stability of 222Rn concentration in the chamber was achieved with a deviation of ~ 3% from the desired value.

Some Radiation Safety and Insurance Issues for Nuclear Spacecraft

Some issues concerning the prevention of dangerous radiation exposure of the general public and providing insurance for spacecraft with next-generation nuclear reactors are examined. It is shown that the technical and organizational measures to meet the requirements of international and Russian documents will secure radiation safety for the general public when using spacecraft with nuclear reactors, including during emergency situations. Insurance companies that insure rocket and space as well as nuclear technology can insure all risks of space activity associated with nuclear-powered spacecraft.

How to Safely Perform Magnetic Resonance Imaging-guided Radioactive Seed Localizations in the Breast.

When a breast lesion is seen on only magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and needs to be excised, pre-operative MRI-guided radioactive seed localization (RSL) is preferred. However, MRI safety and radiation safety issues associated with the inability to recover a potentially lost seed in the MRI scanner room (Zone IV) have precluded this in the past. This manuscript provides a protocol for MRI-guided RSLs that meets MRI safety and radiation safety criteria established by the American College of Radiology and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. To the authors’ best knowledge, this has never been published in the literature. The complete protocol is provided.

Adverse events due to unnecessary radiation exposure in medical imaging reported in Finland

IntroductionAdverse events in radiology are quite rare, but they do occur. Radiation safety regulations and the law obligate organizations to report certain adverse events, harm and near misses, especially events related to patients' health and safety. The aim of this study was to describe and analyse incidents related to radiation safety issues reported in Finland. MethodsThe data were collected from incident reports documented by radiology personnel concerning notifications of abnormal events in medical imaging made to the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority between 2010 and 2017. During these eight years, 312 reports were submitted. Only events reported from radiology departments were included; nuclear medicine, radiotherapy and animal radiology cases were excluded. The final number of reports was 293 (94%). ResultsThe majority of the 293 approved reports were related to computed tomography (CT, 68.3%) and to X-ray examinations (27.6%). Altogether 82.9% of those irradiated were adults, most of whom were exposed to unnecessary radiation through CT (86.5%), 5.5% were children, and 4.4% pregnant women. The most common effective dose of unnecessary radiation was 1 mSv or less (89.7% of all examinations). The highest effective doses were reported in CT (from under 1 mSv–20 mSv and above). The reasons for the adverse events were incorrect identification (32%), incorrect procedure, site or side (30%); and human errors or errors of knowledge (20%). ConclusionAdverse events occurred especially in CT examinations. It is important to collect and analyse incident data, assess the harmful events, learn from them and aim to reduce adverse events. Implications for practiceThis study emphasizes the need for radiological personnel to obtain evidence-based information on adverse events and focus on training to improve patient safety.

Ways to optimize the risk communication between specialists on radiation safety and population: recommendations on communication language

The article discusses the features inherent in the language of communication of specialists in radiation safety among themselves and with the public. Despite the confidence expressed by the population to specialists, their communication is difficult not only for organizational reasons, but also for their languages of communication. The population best understands the language not of the source of information on radiation safety issues (specialists), but of the transmitter of this information – journalists. It is necessary to take into account the difference in the tasks of specialists and journalists in conveying information to the population on the urgent problems of radiation safety, in particular, projects of the nuclear industry. It is shown that taking into account the peculiarities of the language characteristic of the population (or any of its groups) helps in a large degree to optimize information support for risk communication of the population on radiation safety issues. This is necessary for the development of an adequate attitude to the work of the nuclear industry. The article also considers the stages of risk- communication and the factors contributing to its optimization.

Manual on the proper use of yttrium-90-labeled anti-P-cadherin antibody injection for radionuclide therapy in clinical trials

We present the guideline for use of yttrium-90-labeled anti-P-cadherin antibody injection for radionuclide therapy in clinical trials on the basis of radiation safety issues in Japan. This guideline was prepared by a study supported by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, and approved by the Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine. Treatment using yttrium-90-labeled anti-P-cadherin antibody injection in Japan should be carried out according to this guideline. Although this guideline is applied in Japan, the issues for radiation protection shown here are considered internationally useful as well. Only the original Japanese version is the formal document.

Problems of risk communication: methodological approaches to the use of sociological data in planning of information work with the population on radiation safety issues

Publications of the IAEA, ICRP, the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of October 13, 2018 No. 585 “On the Approval of the Basic Principles of State Policy of the Russian Federation in the Field of Nuclear and Radiation Safety until 2025 and beyond” emphasize the increasing role of public in decision-making in the use of ionizing radiation. Sociological research is a part of the preparatory stage in the organization of interaction with stakeholders. During that stage, the participants in the information interaction (stakeholders) have an opportunity to study each other’s attitudes, so that the interaction is as constructive as possible. Sociological studies allow to determine the positions of stakeholders on the subject of risk communication at the initial stage of the process, in the implementation of decisions and in assessing the effectiveness of risk communication. The basis of the sociological study is the program. In forming a sociological research program, it is necessary to pre-identify important factors that can influence the attitude to a particular management decision of different stakeholders. The main purpose of the sociological research is to study the range of opinions and features of perception of the planned management decision by various participants in the process of risk communication. In assessing sociological research, one of the main tasks is to determine the nature of possible contradictions in the positions of the stakeholders, which largely determines the willingness of the interested parties to dialogue. In the consensus risk communication, the results of sociological research are useful in the formation of three sections of information materials: general information about the event, benefit assessment, and threat assessment.

RESIDENTS’ ATTITUDE OF THE LENINGRAD REGION AND SOSNOVY BOR TO ENVIRONMENTAL SITUATION AND ISSUES OF RADIATION SAFETY IN THE RESIDENCE PLACES

A sociological survey was conducted in the Leningrad Region in 2016. In total, 1,363 respondents over 18 years of age were interviewed, including 401 respondents residing in the area of the main nuclear industry facility in the region namely the Leningrad nuclear power plant in the urban district Sosnovy Bor. The aim of the study was to investigate the interest of the population of the Leningrad Region and Sosnovy Bor in obtaining information on various aspects of radiation safety, depending on the gender and age of respondents, perception of the environmental situation in the region of their residence, as well as the confidence level in various sources of information. Respondents ‘ interest study of information about radiation and radiation safety issues was revealed that interest to such information is twice higher in Sosnovy Bor than the respondents of the Leningrad region have one. The highest level of confidence among all in the study participating respondents is the information, where Emergency Situations Ministry officers, scientists and specialists are the source one.

Представление архивной информации о ликвидации последствий радиационных аварий на интернет-портале

Purpose: To describe the historical experience of overcoming the consequences of radiation accidents for the environment, and also to enable the remote user independently obtain data on the radiation contamination of areas through the Internet-portal implemented within the Interdepartmental Information System on the issues of radiation safety and radiation problems.
 Material and methods: Specialists have collected a large volume of information obtained during expedition inspections of contaminated areas, starting in 1986 – the moment of the radiation accident at the Chernobyl NPP – and ending with 2015 (the year of the 30th anniversary of the accident), an array of paper official documents of different levels of hierarchy (departmental, interdepartmental, governmental). The Catalog of documents is composed in such a way that at each level one can get acquainted with the list of documents, with the meta-description of documents, with the original scanned source document (by reference given in the meta description).The scientific task of creating an information system, containing archival information, included the development of two groups of criteria for selecting information. All information was firstly analyzed by experts on two criteria: openness (a status that does not currently have restrictions on publication) and historical affiliation. The documents of this group include information from 1986 up to 2012. Then the criteria for assigning information to a particular group were developed. 
 Results: This work, for the first time, enables the remote user to obtain reliable data on radiation contamination independently. The user can know the years of the first and last inspection of the selected settlement, average density of cesium-137 contamination in the year of interest, as well as information on the number of samples taken in the year of interest. All data on the content of 137Cs obtained at different times are recalculated to the indicated single date (as of January 1 of each year), taking into account the correction for the radioactive decay of this radionuclide. In addition, the user can find out in the zone of which pollution category, approved by the Government List, is the locality indicated by the user. 
 Conclusion: Thus, the approach of presenting information on a specialized Internet-portal allows us to consider it as a tool for analyzing decisions taken. This approach allowed us to see the overall picture of efforts to overcome the consequences of a radiation accident. In the case of large scale radiation accidents and the adoption of many unconventional solutions at all levels of the hierarchy, this experience available to the remote user is crucial importance. The approach to the presentation of archival information on the overcome of the consequences of radiation accidents through Internet-portal showed the urgency of presenting the efforts of management, specialists and various services to overcome the consequences of such accidents with the help of a systematic array of historical documents. The users’ appeals to the Internet-portal through page of Rosgydromet are recorded in the Journal of events. It tells about the expediency of this work. Address of electronic archive is following: http://rb.mchs.gov.ru/rosgidromet/Archive. The link of reference services is following: http://rb.mchs.gov.ru/rosgidromet/rg_spravochnie_uslugi.

Медицинское диагностическое облучение: проблема радиационной безопасности. Обзор

Медицинское диагностическое облучение: проблема радиационной безопасности. Обзор

Membership Trends in the Health Physics Society: How Did We Get Here and Where Are We Going?

The Health Physics Society (HPS), formed in 1956, is a scientific organization of professionals who specialize in radiation safety. Its mission is to support its members in the practice of their profession and to promote excellence in the science and practice of radiation safety. HPS has been a diverse body since its beginnings, encompassing professionals from different disciplines with an interest in radiation safety issues. At that time, health physics was just beginning to emerge as a distinct discipline, initially spurred by the development of the atomic bomb and amplified by the commercial use of nuclear power, and there was a need for a professional group to discuss issues and share ideas and experiences in the field. Over the following years, both the field of health physics and the ranks of the HPS membership experienced a steady increase in numbers and interest. HPS continued to grow in numbers and thrive through the mid-1990s but then began to retract. Concern regarding the "graying" of HPS was being discussed as far back as the late 1990s, yet despite efforts to broaden the base of membership through additional membership criteria, the numbers of Plenary (now referred to as Full) members have continued to shrink. The "graying" of HPS is real-although age demographic data are only available for about the past 15 y (and are provided voluntarily), the shift in age distribution over this timeframe is clear. A recent survey indicated that over 50% of HPS members are over 50 y of age, and over half of the respondents plan to retire within 10 y. As members age, they convert to Emeritus membership or drop their membership altogether, with some members unable to continue for financial or health-related reasons. There is now an age gap-members in their 30s and early 40s are missing from the mix. Potential causes for declining membership may include smaller enrollments in academic programs, reduced employment opportunities, and societal factors. There appears to be reduced employer support for participation in professional activities and travel to conferences. Societal factors include easy access to professional information through the internet, balancing of family commitments, other volunteer opportunities, and a general decline in joining professional groups. So, what is the fate of HPS? We are not alone-other professional groups are experiencing the same overall trends in membership to differing degrees. A number of initiatives have been launched or are being considered by HPS in an effort to offset this trend.

Analysis of the media coverage characteristics on radiation safety issues of the Saint-Petersburg and the Leningrad region population

The purpose of the study was to examine the quantity and quality of publications on radiation safety of the population in the media on the example of Saint Petersburg and the Leningrad region for the period of the first three-quarters of 2016. An analysis of publications in the media is an essential part of the work on the formation of an adequate perception of the radiation risk by the population. The Information and Analytical Centre of Rospotrebnadzor on radiation safety of the population developed a pilot computer-assisted system for the media publication analysis. The study was performed by this system as a development and improvement of the Center’s works applicable to the registration, storage, and analysis of qualitative and quantitative information contained in the publications. The author selected 27 mass-media sources for analysis: 8 newspapers (2 of them are located in Sosnoviy Bor); 8 TV-channels (4 – federal, 2 – regional, 2 – local in Sosnoviy Bor); 10 online media and the web-site of the Sosnoviy Bor administration. During the analyzed period, 1075 informational materials on issues of radiation safety were collected and added to the database. The largest number of publications were in the second quarter of 2016. The peak of publication activity on issues of radiation safety was registered in April. This fact is related to the 30th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident. A significant part (over 50%) of the publications were neutral in all media and in different types of media. A significant part of the publications is a brief informational note with the neutral nature of the character of the information. The number of materials with negative character of information among the publications on the subject of “radioactive waste” is more than 2 times larger than that for the publications on the subject of “nuclear energy”. The majority of publications belongs to the information genre. Analytical materials are a minor part and range from 1.6% to 8 % depending on the type of media. The testing of the computer-assisted system on the media publications analysis has shown its efficiency in terms of speed and agility of analysis and remote maintenance of the database, the possibility of further use it to analyze publications in media at the organization and optimization of risk communication in regions of the Russian Federation.

Risk-communication issues in radiation safety: еvaluation of public awareness in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region on the activities of the nuclear industry and public understanding of the hazards

In 2016, St. Petersburg Research Institute of Radiation Hygiene named after Professor P.V. Ramzaev developed a Program for the radiation risk communication management for the adequate perception risks associated with the use of various technologies in the nuclear industry by the public. Carrying out sociological research is one of the stages of this program. The aim of the analysis presented in the article is to study the population’s awareness of radiation safety issues and its attitude to further development of the nuclear industry. The data used in this analysis is a part of a large sociological survey conducted in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region The sociological research was conducted by the method of a selective questionnaire survey among the adult population permanently residing in the territory of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. The volume of the sample studied was 2369 respondents: 1006 in St. Petersburg and 1363 in the Leningrad Region, including Sosnovy Bor – 401. The analysis showed that the population of all the studied territories estimates the environmental situation as being mainly favorable. The residents consider the main environmental problems in all areas studied to be a collection, removal, storage, disposal of garbage, as well as air and water pollution. The population of the region is relatively poorly informed about the current projects in the nuclear industry. One-third of the inhabitants of the region perceives the Leningrad nuclear power plant as a source of danger. Respondents see the main danger in the possibility of an accident on it. There is a sharply negative attitude of the population towards the construction of radioactive waste disposal sites anywhere in the region. According to the results of the study, it can be concluded that the population of the studied region is poorly informed about the existing radiation situation and the nuclear industry projects. It requires an optimization of the choice of methods for risk communication.

Low energy and high energy dumps for ELI-NP accelerator facility: rational and Monte-Carlo calculationsș results

ELI-NP will be a new international research infrastructure facility for laser-based Nuclear Physics to be built in Magurele, south west of Bucharest, Romania. For the machine to operate as an intense γ rays’ source based on Compton back-scattering, electron beams are employed, undergoing a two stage acceleration to 320 MeV and 740 MeV (and, with an eventual energy upgrade, also to 840 MeV) beam energies. In order to assess the radiation safety issues, concerning the effectiveness of the dumps in absorbing the primary electron beams, the generated prompt radiation field and the residual dose rates coming from the activation of constituent materials, as well as the shielding of the adjacent environments against both prompt and residual radiation fields, an extensive design study by means of Monte Carlo simulations with FLUKA code was performed, for both low energy 320 MeV and high energy 720 MeV (840 MeV) beam dumps. For the low energy dump we discuss also the rational of the choice to place it in the building basement, instead of installing it in one of the shielding wall at the machine level, as it was originally conceived. Ambient dose equivalent rate constraints, according to the Rumenian law in force in radiation protection matter were 0.1 /iSv/h everywhere outside the shielding walls and 1.4 μiSv/h outside the high energy dump area. The dumps’ placements and layouts are shown to be fully compliant with the dose constraints and environmental impact.

Radiation Protection, Safety and Security Issues in Ghana

Although the use of radioisotopes in Ghana began in 1952, the Radiation Protection Board of Ghana was established in 1993 and served as the national competent authority for authorization and inspection of practices and activities involving radiation sources until 2015. The law has been superseded by an Act of Parliament, Act 895 of 2015, mandating the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of Ghana to take charge of the regulation of radiation sources and their applications. The Radiation Protection Institute in Ghana provided technical support to the regulatory authority. Regulatory and service activities that were undertaken by the Institute include issuance of permits for handling of a radiation sources, authorization and inspection of radiation sources, radiation safety assessment, safety assessment of cellular signal towers, and calibration of radiation-emitting equipment. Practices and activities involving application of radiation are brought under regulatory control in the country through supervision by the national competent authority.

Case Report: Unusual Radiation Risks in the Emergency Department –125I beads

The use of radioactive substances in medicine accounts for the largest radiation exposure to the population from non-natural sources worldwide. The use in healthcare confers many benefits, but inappropriate or unskilled use can result in health hazards and safety issues for both patients and healthcare workers. We present two cases of radiation safety issues related to patients presenting to our emergency department after receiving non-conventional brachytherapy in the form of radiation seeds being implanted in the abdominal wall. These were done for presumed treatment of metastatic cancer in another Asian country. We share our cases to all emergency department staff to heighten their alertness for potential exposure to radiation from patients with radionuclides.

Angiography – neurointerventional laboratory procedural safety issues

Interventional Radiology is a rapidly evolving field since its founding. Consecutively, the constant growth of Angiography as a tool for endovascular diagnosis and treatment has further enhanced the need for expertise. Furthermore the introduction of Neuroradiology, a novel specialty revealed additional safety issues which had to be dealt with by Interventional Radiographers. In the past, the responsibilities of a radiographer within the Interventional Imaging team were somewhat limited. However, recent technological advances in diagnostic and therapeutic applications mandate for Radiographer involvement. Interventional procedures such as Angioplasty, Central Nervous System Embolisms have encouraged Radiographers in communicating radiation protection policy and practical tips to other members of the Angiography Team. The collaboration with other medical specialties has also extended the Radiographer’s role, as one often assumes that of the tutor for health professionals unaware or with little knowledge of ionizing radiation safety issues. Finally the growth in the areas of mechanical and software engineering (Biplane Angiographic systems, 3D angiography, Rotational angiography etc.) necessitate for Radiographers to get intensely involved with crucial matters relating to the safe completion of the procedure, such as image manipulation and equipment handling. Radiographers in the angiography suite are an ever changing and involving specialty within Radiology. New procedures and technological breakthroughs initiate for radiographer role expansion in order to adapt to innovation and hence to achieve the optimal outcome safely and timely for both, the patient and staff. Nothing to disclose.