Abstract
Several investigations in nuclear medicine departments have shown that the staff members are often not aware of the high risk of radiation exposure to the skin on the hands. This fact is mainly due to the beta radiation of the nuclides used for radiosynoviorthesis (RSO). Inappropriate or slack use of protective devices or bad practice may lead to high skin doses. In this chapter, basic radiation protection principles and methods are considered in order to reduce the occupational exposure, especially to beta radiation during RSO. Proper shielding of the active liquids and distance keeping are the most effective precautionary measures. Based on the physical and radiological characteristics of the RSO nuclides, which can cause high dose rates near vessels with radioactive solutions, the necessity of the use of appropriate shields for beta radiation and for the improvement of daily practice is demonstrated. Examples of well-proven appliances and tools are shown. Moreover, the challenges of skin dose monitoring with authorised partial-body dosimeters are discussed, and recommendations for the optimal wearing position of a ring dosimeter are given. In most cases, this is the first phalanx of the index finger of the nondominant hand with the detector-directed palmar. It is emphasised that, even in this optimal case, the real maximum skin dose is underestimated, on average by a factor of 6. Finally, the importance of accurate contamination monitoring as an essential radiation protection measure is emphasised.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Delacroix D, Guerre JP, Leblanc P, et al. Radionuclide and radiation protection data handbook 2002. Radiat Prot Dosim. 2002;98:1.
Barth I, Mielcarek J. Occupational exposure during radiosynoviorthesis. In: Proceedings of the 6th European ALARA Network Workshop “Occupational Exposure Optimisation in the Medical Field and Radiopharmaceutical Industry.” Madrid, 23–25 Oct 2002. p. 43–6, ISBN 84-7834-437-3.
IAEA. International basis safety standards for protection against ionizing radiation and for the safety of radioactive sources, IAEA Safety Series, vol. 115. Vienna: International Atomic Energy Agency; 1996. PO Box 100, A-1400.
ICRP. Radiological protection and safety in medicine. International Commission on Radiological Protection, Publication 73, Ann. ICRP vol 26(2). Oxford: Elsevier; 1996.
ICRP. International Commission on Radiological Protection radiation dose to patients from radiopharmaceuticals, Publication 80, Ann. ICRP vol 28(3). Oxford: Elsevier; 1998.
ICRP. International Commission on Radiological Protection pregnancy and medical radiation, Publication 84, Ann. ICRP vol 30(1). Oxford: Elsevier; 2000.
ICRP. International Commission on Radiological Protection release of patients after therapy with unsealed radionuclides, Publication 94, Ann. ICRP vol 34(2). Oxford: Elsevier; 2004.
ICRP. International Commission on Radiological Protection, the 2007 recommendations of the International commission on radiological protection, ICRP Publication 103, Ann. ICRP 37(2–4). Oxford: Elsevier; 2007.
IAEA. International Atomic Energy Agency, applying radiation safety standards in nuclear medicine. IAEA Safety Report Series No. 40, Vienna. 2005.
IAEA. International Atomic Energy Agency, nuclear medicine resources manual. Vienna: International Atomic Energy Agency; 2006. ISBN 92-0-107504-9.
IAEA. International Atomic Energy Agency, release of patients after radionuclide therapy. Safety Report Series No. 63, Vienna. 2009.
EURATOM. 2013. COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2013/59/EURATOM of 5 Dec 2013 laying down basic safety standards for protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionising radiation, and repealing Directives 89/618/Euratom, 90/641/Euratom, 96/29/Euratom, 97/43/Euratom and 2003/122/Euratom, EN Off J Eur Union 14.01.2013, L13/1ff.
EANM Procedure Guidelines for Radiosynovectomy. EANM procedure guidelines for radiosynovectomy. Eur J Nucl Med. 2003;30(3):BP16. March 2003 – EANM 2003.
Mödder G. Radiosynoviorthesis: involvement of nuclear medicine in rheumatology and orthopaedics. Mecckenheim: Warlich; 1995.
ICRP. International Commission on Radiological Protection general principles for the radiation protection of workers, Publication 75, Ann. ICRP vol 27(1). Oxford: Elsevier; 1997.
ICRP. International Commission on Radiological Protection, statement on tissue reactions. 21 Apr 2011.
ORAMED. 2011. http://www.oramed-fp7.eu/.
Whitby M, Martin CJ. A multi-centre study of dispensing methods and hand doses in UK hospital radiopharmacies. Nucl Med Commun. 2005;26:49–60.
Rimpler A, Barth I, Ferrari P, et al. Extremity exposure in nuclear medicine therapy with 90Y-labelled substances – Results of the ORAMED project. to be published in Rad Meas. (2011). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.radmeas.2011.05.068.
Sans Merce M, Ruiz N, Barth I, et al. Recommendations to reduce hand exposure for standard nuclear medicine procedures. Radiat Meas. 2011;46:1330–3.
HPS http://hpschapters.org/northcarolina/nuclide_information_library.php3.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Barth, I., Rimpler, A. (2015). Radiation Exposure of Medical Staff and Radiation Protection Measures. In: Kampen, W., Fischer, M. (eds) Local Treatment of Inflammatory Joint Diseases. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16949-1_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16949-1_8
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-16948-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-16949-1
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)