Real-time Radiation Monitoring Research Articles

Real-time radiation monitoring of high energy 1.2-GeV synchrotron accelerator using experimental physics and industrial control system

The high energy 1.2-GeV electron accelerator facility’s radiation detection and monitoring system (RDMS) has greatly evolved to be the effective backbone of real-time radiation monitoring for the new light source 3-GeV synchrotron facility. Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS), ethernet hardware connections (Optic fibers), and Web-based software interfaces make up the new RDMS framework, built on well-liked network technology. The problems of monitoring i.e., a lot of manpower, poor monitoring accuracy, and inability to monitor continuously in the high radiation dose are eliminated. EPICS, composed of an Input/Output Controller (IOC) and Client Workstations which can communicate with a Local Area Network (LAN), were applied for remote control and radiation measurement. EPICS has been able to transport and store massive amounts of data for large-scale systems with a wide range and high accuracy. The monitoring data were sent to the server through the optic fibers network system, which is more advantages such as no distance restrictions, low attenuation of the signal, faster responding times, and particularly electromagnetic resistance. The data can be accessed anywhere from client monitors with graphical user interfaces. This system is successfully developed and tested for the high energy 1.2-GeV electron accelerator. The RDMS is useful for radiation safety to monitor the radiation dose level during machine operation to protect occupational workers and the public from radiation hazards.

Assessment of radiation level and potential risk to public living around major hospitals in central and western Bangladesh

Human beings are continuously bathed in radiation coming from natural and artificial sources. Although the use of radiation in medical applications is beneficial to patients, it also contributes significantly to the health hazard for radiation workers and the public if radiation-generating equipment and radioactive sources are not handled properly. 96% dose contributed from medical uses of ionizing radiation in the US population among man-made sources as per NCRP Report No. 160. There is no extensive study conducted on the large hospitals in Bangladesh following the In-Situ method. We used a real-time digital portable radiation monitor with Garmin eTrex Global Positioning System at 320 monitoring points for radiation monitoring and positioning around the ten largest hospitals in central & western Bangladesh from September to November 2021. The mean radiation dose rates around Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Evercare Hospital, Khulna Medical College Hospital, Mitford Hospital, National Institute of Cancer Research Hospital, Popular Hospital, Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, and Square Hospitals were measured as 0.145 ± 0.012 μSv/h, 0.135 ± 0.009 μSv/h, 0.148 ± 0.008 μSv/h, 0.139 ± 0.01 μSv/h, 0.133 ± 0.007 μSv/h, 0.153 ± 0.011 μSv/h, 0.144 ± 0.012 μSv/h, 0.137 ± 0.008 μSv/h, 0.145 ± 0.01 μSv/h, and 0.153 ± 0.009 μSv/h, respectively. The mean excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) of the public who lives nearby the hospital's boundary was estimated at 1.05 × 10−3, 0.983 × 10−3, 1.071 × 10−3, 1.004 × 10−3, 0.964 × 10−3, 1.084 × 10−3, 1.043 × 10−3,0.996 × 10−3, 1.051 × 10−3 & 1.112 × 10−3 respectively. ELCR in most of the locations around the ten largest hospitals in central & western Bangladesh is higher than the global average value. Radiation monitoring is significant for minimizing the public's radiation risk and keeping hospital environments as radiation-free as possible.

Estimation of Radiological Risk on Healthcare Workers and Public in Mymensingh Medical College Hospital Campus, Bangladesh

Ionizing radiation gives immense benefit to the patient in the hospital through diagnostic and therapeutic procedures but unnecessary radiation may cause short- and long-term trouble to healthcare workers & public. The purpose of the study is to monitor the real-time radiation in the Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH) Campus of Bangladesh and assessment of radiological risks to healthcare workers & public. Real-time radiation monitoring was accomplished in the MMCH campus from August-September 2022 using digital portable radiation monitoring devices through the In-Situ technique. The real-time radiation dose rates & calculated annual effective doses to healthcare workers and the public ranged from 0.25-4.11 µSv/hr (mean: 1.438 ± 0.331 μSv/h) and 0.438-8.585 mSv (mean: 2.529 ± 0.627 mSv) respectively. The excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) among healthcare worker & public on the MMCH campus were estimated based on the annual effective dose and ranged from 8.436 × 10-3 to 16.572 × 10-3 (mean: 10.667 × 10-3). The mean ELCR in the MMCH campus is higher than that of the worldwide average value. Real-time radiation monitoring in the big hospital campus is vital for detecting a malfunction of the radiation-generating equipment and wrong handling of the radioactive substance. The study would help for minimizing the radiological risk to healthcare workers & public in the big hospital campus, thereby would ensure the hospital’s environment is free from radioactive contamination.

Real-time environmental radiation monitoring based on locally developed low-cost device and unmanned aerial vehicle

In this study, a low-cost local device based on an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for real-time environmental radiation monitoring is proposed. The device consists of a Geiger-Müller ZP 1200 counter for gamma radiation detection and an appropriate electronic circuit for processing and shaping the detected pulses. The Geiger-Müller detector used is low-cost, insensitive to environmental temperature variations, and can be operated continuously over a long period. Two different methods were performed to calibrate the designed device, namely the use of a programmable nuclear pulse generator for electronic calibration and a Cs-137 gamma-ray calibration source. A long flight time UAV is developed locally with suitable characteristics and adapted to carry the radiation detection device. The designed UAV mainly consists of a multi-flight controller having an intelligent switching system associated with a GPS Module for accurate position-keeping and four heavy lift motors. The use of UAVs has the advantage that it allows measurements to be taken over large areas, even those that are difficult to access, and avoids exposing people to radiation. The flight measurement tests were carried out in the urban area of Yaoundé-Cameroon, at an altitude of 15 to 100 meters with a sweeping speed of about 20 km/h for 36 days from January 01, 2023, to February 06, 2023. The tests showed that the concentrations collected varied between 0.00697 μSv/h and 0.8706 μSv/h, of which 85.71% of data have a concentration below the threshold (0.3 μSv/h) and 14.29% above this threshold. These tests confirm that the developed radiation detection system works properly and is suitable for environmental radiation protection and nuclear safety activities.

Evaluation of a New Real-Time Dosimeter Sensor for Interventional Radiology Staff.

In 2011, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommended a significant reduction in the lens-equivalent radiation dose limit, thus from an average of 150 to 20 mSv/year over 5 years. In recent years, the occupational dose has been rising with the increased sophistication of interventional radiology (IVR); management of IVR staff radiation doses has become more important, making real-time radiation monitoring of such staff desirable. Recently, the i3 real-time occupational exposure monitoring system (based on RaySafeTM) has replaced the conventional i2 system. Here, we compared the i2 and i3 systems in terms of sensitivity (batch uniformity), tube-voltage dependency, dose linearity, dose-rate dependency, and angle dependency. The sensitivity difference (batch uniformity) was approximately 5%, and the tube-voltage dependency was <±20% between 50 and 110 kV. Dose linearity was good (R2 = 1.00); a slight dose-rate dependency (~20%) was evident at very high dose rates (250 mGy/h). The i3 dosimeter showed better performance for the lower radiation detection limit compared with the i2 system. The horizontal and vertical angle dependencies of i3 were superior to those of i2. Thus, i3 sensitivity was higher over a wider angle range compared with i2, aiding the measurement of scattered radiation. Unlike the i2 sensor, the influence of backscattered radiation (i.e., radiation from an angle of 180°) was negligible. Therefore, the i3 system may be more appropriate in areas affected by backscatter. In the future, i3 will facilitate real-time dosimetry and dose management during IVR and other applications.

Development of micrometer-scaled aluminum-enriched phosphate glass beads with a silver activator for real-time profile measurement of a clinical carbon beam

Real-time monitoring of clinical carbon beams from a synchrotron accelerator was accomplished by using aluminum-enriched phosphate glass with a silver activator. Build-up effects are often observed in commercially available silver-containing phosphate glass that strongly limit the use of the glass in real-time dosimetry in clinical particle therapy fields. In this study, we modified the composition of silver-containing phosphate glass by adding an additional 0.2 mol% aluminum impurity to cause broadband radioluminescence under clinical carbon beam exposure. Convenient real-time radiation monitoring was accomplished on submillimeter scales by using aluminum-enriched silver-containing phosphate glass beads. Optical fiber dosimetry using the aluminum-enriched silver-containing phosphate glass was demonstrated, and stable radioluminescence was visualized for each bunch of 290 MeV u−1 from a synchrotron under different beam fluxes up to 3 × 109 particles/spill (clinical beam conditions).

Reduction of radiation dose using real‐time visual feedback dosimetry during angiographic interventions

This prospective study sought to evaluate potential savings of radiation dose to medical staff using real-time dosimetry coupled with visual radiation dose feedback during angiographic interventions. For this purpose, we analyzed a total of 214 angiographic examinations that consisted of chemoembolizations and several other types of therapeutic interventions. The Unfors RaySafe i2 dosimeter was worn by the interventionalist at chest height over the lead protection. A total of 110 interventions were performed with real-time radiation dosimetry allowing the interventionalist to react upon higher x-ray exposure and 104 examinations served as the comparative group without real-time radiation monitoring. By using the real-time display during interventions, the overall mean operator radiation dose decreased from 3.67 (IQR, 0.95-23.01) to 2.36μSv (IQR, 0.52-12.66) (-36%; p=0.032) at simultaneously reduced operator exposure time by 4.5min (p=0.071). Dividing interventions into chemoembolizations and other types of therapeutic interventions, radiation dose decreased from 1.31 (IQR, 0.46-3.62) to 0.95μSv (IQR, 0.53-3.11) and from 24.39 (IQR, 12.14-63.0) to 10.37μSv (IQR, 0.85-36.84), respectively, using live-screen dosimetry (p≤0.005). Radiation dose reductions were also observed for the participating assistants, indicating that they could also benefit from real-time visual feedback dosimetry during interventions (-30%; p=0.039). Integration of real-time dosimetry into clinical processes might be useful in reducing occupational radiation exposure time during angiographic interventions. The real-time visual feedback raised the awareness of interventionalists and their assistants to the potential danger of prolonged radiation exposure leading to the adoption of radiation-sparing practices. Therefore, it might create a safer environment for the medical staff by keeping the applied radiation exposure as low as possible.

Real-time VUV radiation monitoring in low-pressure hydrogen plasma based on fluorescence of sodium salicylate

Recently, vacuum ultra-violet (VUV) radiation emitted from plasmas has been of particular interest in semiconductor device fabrication because of the effects of its high-energy photons, such as induced damage or curing on low-k materials. Due to the difficulty of implementing conventional spectroscopic methods to monitor VUV radiation with high accuracy and time resolution in current plasma processing equipment, novel monitoring methods must be investigated. Therefore, in this work, we developed a compact VUV radiation monitoring system based on a scintillator, i.e. sodium salicylate (NaSal), for real-time VUV measurements. Compared to conventional VUV spectrometers, the system shows considerable implementation potential thanks to its compact size, higher detection accuracy and high time resolution. VUV radiation emitted by continuous and pulsed hydrogen plasmas generated at low pressure was investigated using the developed system. Using various filters, we were able to compare the VUV photon intensity in different wavelength ranges. It was found that the VUV photon intensity between 115 and 250 nm was about 2.5 times higher than in the region below 115 nm due to intense Lyman-α and molecular radiation, such as Lyman and Werner bands observed in low-pressure hydrogen plasmas.

Ion beam induced luminescence (IBIL) analysis of europium-activated phosphate glass micro-beads scintillators at clinical carbon beam therapy field

The possibility of real-time monitoring of clinical carbon beams was investigated by analyzing ion beam induced luminescence (IBIL) using phosphate glass (PG) with a dopant of europium (Eu). Phosphate glass with a silver activator (PG: Ag) is known as a substrate for personal dosimeters. Several trials are being made by utilizing PG: Ag as an in-situ diagnostic tool for the clinical radiation therapy field. However, silvers are not actively responding to the radiation during the irradiation because of their build-up effect. In this study, we introduced a co-activator of europium, which is expected to coexist with silvers and have a scintillator property for real-time response. IBIL was successfully visualized with each bunch of 290 MeV/n from synchrotron under different beam intensity from 6.0×106 to 3.0×109 (clinical beam condition) counts/spill. IBIL measurement at each position of Bragg peak suggested that developed PG:Ag-beads with Eu co-activators have successfully demonstrated real-time radiation monitoring of clinical carbon beams.

Estimation of Radiological Risk on Medical Staff and Public Inside &amp; Outside of Three Large Hospital Campuses of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Ionizing radiation offers great benefit to people in the hospital through diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to patients but undue radiation may create short- and long-term problems for medical staff &amp; public. The goal of the study is to monitor the real-time radiation inside &amp; outside of the three large hospital campuses in Dhaka city of Bangladesh namely the National Institute of Cancer Research &amp; Hospital (NICRH), National Heart Foundation Hospital &amp; Research Institute (NHFH), Kidney Foundation Hospital &amp; Research Institute (KFH) and estimation of radiological risk on medical staff&amp; public. The average real-time radiation dose rate &amp; calculated average twelve-monthly effective doses to medical staff and public arising from the NICRH, NHFH, KFH were found to be1.781 ± 0.310 μSv/h, 1.685 ± 0.307μSv/h, 1.735 ± 0.341μSv/hand 3.111 ± 0.556mSv, 2.952 ± 0.437 mSv, 3.039 ± 0.329 mSv respectively. The excess life-time cancer risk (ELCR) on medical staff &amp; public was estimated based on the twelve-monthly effective dose and varied from 8.972 Χ 10-3 to 18.938 Χ 10-3with average of 12.071 Χ 10-3. The average twelve-monthly effective dose and ELCR on medical staff were lower than those of the permissible limit. Real-time radiation monitoring inside &amp; outside of the large hospital campuses is essential for detecting a malfunction of the radiation generating equipment and incorrect handling of the radioactive substances. The study would assist in minimizing radiological risk to medical staff &amp; public and thereby would ensure the environment in the hospital is free from radioactive contamination.

Real-Time Patient Skin Dose Mapping for Fluoroscopically Guided Interventional Procedures

Fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures can result in high radiation dose to the patient with increased risk of both deterministic and stochastic effects ( 1 Balter S. Hopewell J.W. Miller D.L. Wagner L.K. Zelefsky M.J. Fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures: a review of radiation effects on patients’ skin and hair. Radiology. 2010; 254: 326-341 Crossref PubMed Scopus (414) Google Scholar ). One of the main concerns has been tissue effects to the skin since it is the organ that typically receives the highest dose, being exposed to the primary unattenuated x-ray beam. Deterministic skin effects have dose thresholds that are high (>2 Gy) but have been reached in numerous published cases ( 1 Balter S. Hopewell J.W. Miller D.L. Wagner L.K. Zelefsky M.J. Fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures: a review of radiation effects on patients’ skin and hair. Radiology. 2010; 254: 326-341 Crossref PubMed Scopus (414) Google Scholar ). There are a number of dose calculation tools to obtain an estimate of the peak skin dose (PSD) after the procedure that can help in the management of follow-up patient care for skin injury ( 2 Malchair F. Dabin J. Deleu M. et al. Review of skin dose calculation software in interventional cardiology. Phys Med. 2020; 80: 75-83 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (17) Google Scholar ); however, such postprocedural estimates do not assist the interventional radiologist in managing radiation dose during the procedure to avoid exceeding dose thresholds. A system that provides real-time feedback on the skin dose distribution can allow the physician to make informed decisions regarding the conduct of the procedure to more effectively balance the risk versus benefits. In a large, single-center study, the use of a real-time dose-mapping system resulted in an overall 22% reduction of PSD, and the percentage of patients at high risk of skin injury was reduced by a factor of approximately 4 ( 3 Wilson S.M. Prasan A.M. Virdi A. et al. Real-time colour pictorial radiation monitoring during coronary angiography: effect on patient peak skin and total dose during coronary angiography. EuroIntervention. 2016; 12: e939-e947 Crossref PubMed Scopus (17) Google Scholar ).

Real-Time Radiation Monitoring System with Interlock Protection Mechanism in Taiwan Photon Source

Real-Time Radiation Monitoring System with Interlock Protection Mechanism in Taiwan Photon Source

Real-time Radiation Monitoring and Assessment of Radiation Risk on Public around BSMMU Hospital Campus, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Objective: Ionizing radiation is extensively used in the hospital for diagnosis and treatment procedures to patients and its usage increasing day by day with the socio-economic development of the country. The aim of the study is to monitor the real-time radiation around the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) hospital campus and estimation of the radiation risk on public.&#x0D; Method: The real-time radiation monitoring around the BSMMU hospital campus was performed using digital portable radiation monitoring device (DPRMD). The DPRMD meets all European CE standards and the American “FCC 15 standard”. The DPRMD was placed at 1 meter above the ground on tripod and data taking time for each monitoring point (MP) was 1 hour. Each MP was identified using Garmin eTrex GPS device. 32 MPs were selected for taking the real-time radiation dose rates around the BSMMU hospital campus from August-September 2019.&#x0D; Results: The real-time radiation dose rates around the BSMMU hospital campus were ranged from 0.020-2.45 µSv/hr with an average of 0.211 ± 0.094 µSv/hr. The annual effective dose on public were ranged from 0.222 ± 0.052 mSv to 1.247 ± 0.071 mSv with an average of 0.368 ± 0.097 mSv. The excess life-time cancer risk (ELCR) on public was estimated based on the annual effective dose that ranged from 0.881×10-3 to 5.12×10-3 with an average value of 1.488×10-3 around the BSMMU hospital campus, which means that in every thousand people, one person is at the risk of developing cancer caused by the scattered radiation exposure from the hospital.&#x0D; Conclusion: Real-time radiation monitoring makes possible to ensure the protection the radiation worker and the public from unnecessary radiation hazard. The study also provides the instantaneous information of inappropriate operation of radiation generating equipments and improper handling of radioactive substances in the hospital.

Radiation Risk Assessment on Public in Motijheel Thana, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Objective: The pollution free environment is required for healthy life. The real-time radiation monitoring is very important for radiation hazard detection in the environment. The excess life-time cancer risk (ELCR) on public is to assess based on the real-time radiation monitoring data in the area. Methods: The real-time radiation monitoring was performed using portable digital radiation monitoring device. This real-time digital portable radiation monitoring device meets all European CE standards as well as the American “FCC 15 standard”. The real-time digital portable radiation monitoring device was placed at 1 meter above the ground on tripod and data collection time for each monitoring point (MP) was 1 hour. 27 MPs were chosen for collection of real-time radiation data at various outdoor environment in Motijheel Thana, Dhaka from May-August 2018.Results: The real-time radiation dose rates at Motijheel Thana due to natural radionuclides were ranged from 0.095 ± 0.041 µSv.h-1 to 0.185 ± 0.042 µSv.h-1 with an average of 0.147 ± 0.047 µSv.h-1. The annual effective dose to public from outdoor environmental radiation at Motijheel Thana were found to be 0.166 ± 0.066 mSv to 0.324 ± 0.061 mSv with an average of 0.257 ± 0.039 mSv. Excess Life-time Cancer Risk (ELCR) on public are also estimated based on annual effective dose that is ranged from 0.662 ×10-3 to 1.289 ×10-3 with an average value of 1.025 ×10-3, which is higher than world average value of 0.29×10-3. Conclusion: This type of study is required for detection of the radiation hazard arising from the natu-ral as well as man-made sources and also for generation of the baseline database. From this study, it is observed that there is no pose any radiation hazard in the study area due to man-made sources.

Radiation Risk Assessment on Public in Motijheel Thana, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Objective: The pollution free environment is required for healthy life. The real-time radiation monitoring is very important for radiation hazard detection in the environment. The excess life-time cancer risk (ELCR) on public is to assess based on the real-time radiation monitoring data in the area. Methods: The real-time radiation monitoring was performed using portable digital radiation monitoring device. This real-time digital portable radiation monitoring device meets all European CE standards as well as the American “FCC 15 standard”. The real-time digital portable radiation monitoring device was placed at 1 meter above the ground on tripod and data collection time for each monitoring point (MP) was 1 hour. 27 MPs were chosen for collection of real-time radiation data at various outdoor environment in Motijheel Thana, Dhaka from May-August 2018.Results: The real-time radiation dose rates at Motijheel Thana due to natural radionuclides were ranged from 0.095 ± 0.041 µSv.h-1 to 0.185 ± 0.042 µSv.h-1 with an average of 0.147 ± 0.047 µSv.h-1. The annual effective dose to public from outdoor environmental radiation at Motijheel Thana were found to be 0.166 ± 0.066 mSv to 0.324 ± 0.061 mSv with an average of 0.257 ± 0.039 mSv. Excess Life-time Cancer Risk (ELCR) on public are also estimated based on annual effective dose that is ranged from 0.662 ×10-3 to 1.289 ×10-3 with an average value of 1.025 ×10-3, which is higher than world average value of 0.29×10-3. Conclusion: This type of study is required for detection of the radiation hazard arising from the natu-ral as well as man-made sources and also for generation of the baseline database. From this study, it is observed that there is no pose any radiation hazard in the study area due to man-made sources.

Initial evaluation of the temperature dependence of novel inorganic optical fibre dosimeters

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in developing optical fiber-based dosimetry systems for real-time verification during radiation therapy. Inorganic scintillation detectors (ISDs) show promise for in-vivo dosimetry, along with plastic scintillation detectors (PSDs), providing real-time radiation monitoring, electromagnetic field immunity, linear responses to doses and dose rate independency [1,2].

Estimation of Radiation Risk on Public Around Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital Campus, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Objective: Ionizing radiation is widely used in the hospital for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to patients and its usage increasing day by day. The aim of the study is to monitor the real-time radiation around the Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College (ShSMC) hospital campus and estimation of radiation risk on public.&#x0D; Method: The real-time radiation monitoring around the ShSMC hospital was performed using digital portable radiation monitoring device (DPRMD). The DPRMD meets all European CE standards and the American “FCC 15 standard”. The DPRMD was placed at 1 meter above the ground on tripod and data collection time for each monitoring point (MP) was 1 hour. Each MP was marked out using Garmin eTrex GPS device. 32 MPs were chosen for collection of the real-time radiation dose rates around the ShSMC hospital campus in October 2020.&#x0D; Results: The real-time radiation dose rates around the ShSMC hospital campus were ranged from 0.37-3.39 µSv/hr with an average of 1.537 ± 0.359 µSv/hr. The annual effective dose on public were ranged from 1.326 ± 0.551 mSv to 4.902 ± 0.705 mSv with an average of 2.694 ± 0.629 mSv. The excess life-time cancer risk (ELCR) on public health was estimated based on the annual effective dose that ranged from 5.277×10ˆ-3 to 19.503×10ˆ-3 with an average value of 10.72×10ˆ-3 around the ShSMC hospital campus.&#x0D; Conclusion: Real-time radiation monitoring facilitates to ensure the safety of the radiation workers and the public from undue radiation hazard. The study also gives instant information of improper operation of radiation generating equipments and improper handling of radioactive substances in the hospital.

Estimation of Radiation Risk on Public Around Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital Campus, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Objective: Ionizing radiation is widely used in the hospital for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to patients and its usage increasing day by day. The aim of the study is to monitor the real-time radiation around the Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College (ShSMC) hospital campus and estimation of radiation risk on public.&#x0D; Method: The real-time radiation monitoring around the ShSMC hospital was performed using digital portable radiation monitoring device (DPRMD). The DPRMD meets all European CE standards and the American “FCC 15 standard”. The DPRMD was placed at 1 meter above the ground on tripod and data collection time for each monitoring point (MP) was 1 hour. Each MP was marked out using Garmin eTrex GPS device. 32 MPs were chosen for collection of the real-time radiation dose rates around the ShSMC hospital campus in October 2020.&#x0D; Results: The real-time radiation dose rates around the ShSMC hospital campus were ranged from 0.37-3.39 µSv/hr with an average of 1.537 ± 0.359 µSv/hr. The annual effective dose on public were ranged from 1.326 ± 0.551 mSv to 4.902 ± 0.705 mSv with an average of 2.694 ± 0.629 mSv. The excess life-time cancer risk (ELCR) on public health was estimated based on the annual effective dose that ranged from 5.277×10ˆ-3 to 19.503×10ˆ-3 with an average value of 10.72×10ˆ-3 around the ShSMC hospital campus.&#x0D; Conclusion: Real-time radiation monitoring facilitates to ensure the safety of the radiation workers and the public from undue radiation hazard. The study also gives instant information of improper operation of radiation generating equipments and improper handling of radioactive substances in the hospital.

Safety and effectiveness of strategies to reduce radiation exposure to proceduralists performing cardiac catheterization procedures: a systematic review.

The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize the best available evidence on the effect of various radiation protection strategies on radiation dose received by proceduralists performing cardiac catheterization procedures involving fluoroscopy. Cardiac catheterization procedures under fluoroscopy are the gold standard diagnostic and treatment method for patients with coronary artery disease. The growing demand of procedures means that proceduralists are being exposed to increasing amounts of radiation, resulting in an increased risk of deterministic and stochastic effects. Standard protective strategies and equipment such as lead garments reduce radiation exposure; however, the evidence surrounding additional equipment is contradictory. Randomized controlled trials that compared the use of an additional radiation protection strategy with conventional radiation protection methods were considered for inclusion. The primary outcome of interest was the radiation dose received by the proceduralist during cardiac catheterization procedures. A three-step search was conducted in MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, and the Cochrane Library (CENTRAL). Trials published in the English language with adult participants were included. Trials published from database inception until July 2019 were eligible for inclusion. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the JBI critical appraisal checklist for randomized controlled trials. Quantitative data were extracted from the included papers using the JBI data extraction tool. Results that could not be pooled in meta-analysis were reported in a narrative form. Fifteen randomized controlled trials were included in the review. Six radiation protection strategies were assessed: leaded and unleaded pelvic or arm drapes, transradial protection board, remotely controlled mechanical contrast injector, extension tubing for contrast injection, real-time radiation monitor, and a reduction in frame rate to 7.5 frames per second. Pooled data from two trials demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in the mean radiation dose (P < 0.00001) received by proceduralists performing transfemoral cardiac catheterization on patients who received a leaded pelvic drape compared to standard protection. One trial that compared the use of unleaded pelvic drapes placed on patients compared to standard protection reported a statistically significant decrease (P = 0.004) in the mean radiation dose received by proceduralists.Compared to standard protection, two trials that used unleaded arm drapes for patients, one trial that used a remotely controlled mechanical contrast injector, and one trial that used a transradial protection board demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the radiation dose received by proceduralists.Similarly, using a frame rate of 7.5 versus 15 frames per second and monitoring radiation dose in real-time radiation significantly lowered the radiation dose received by the proceduralist. One trial demonstrated no statistically significant difference in proceduralist radiation dose among those who used the extension tubing compared to standard protection (P = 1). This review provides evidence to support the use of leaded pelvic drapes for patients as an additional radiation protection strategy for proceduralists performing transradial or transfemoral cardiac catheterization. Further studies on the effectiveness of using a lower fluoroscopy frame rate, real-time radiation monitor, and transradial protection board are needed.

Evaluation of Indoor Radiation Hazard on Worker &amp;amp; Public Health in Mitford Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Objective: Radiation workers in nuclear Medicine institute are handling unsealed radioactive materials for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures of patients and thus radiation hazard on workers and public health in nuclear medicine is high comparing to other departments of the hospital. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the radiation hazard on workers and public at the indoor places of the Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS) Mitford, Sir Salimullah Medical College and Hospital Campus based on the real-time radiation monitoring data. Methods: The radiation monitoring was performed using a real-time portable digital radiation monitoring device. This real-time digital portable radiation monitoring device meets all European CE standards as well as the American “FCC 15 standard”. The portable digital radiation monitoring device was placed at 1 meter above the ground on tripod and data acquisition time for each monitoring point (MP) was 1 hour. 24 MPs were selected for collection of radiation dose rates at different indoor locations of INMAS, Mitford hospital from May-June 2019. The real-time dose rate also monitored at 1 meter distance from injected patients in the patient’s waiting room after injecting 99mTc & 131I. Results: The measured dose rates were ranged from 0.181 ± 0.057 μSv.h-1 to 2.247 ± 0.685 μSv.h-1 with an average of 0.463 ± 0.695 μSv.h-1. The annual effective dose to the radiation worker and public were varied from 0.279 ± 0.089 mSv to 3.481±1.061 mSv with an average of 0.717 ±1.077mSv. Excess life-time cancer risk (ELCR) of worker and public were evaluated based on annual effective dose and varied from 1.113 Χ 10-3 to 1.385 Χ 10-2. Conclusion: Real-time radiation monitoring at indoor places of nuclear medicine facilities are required for detection of contamination in the workplace. So this study is needed to keep the indoor environment free from radiation hazard and thereby improving the worker and public health.