Radiation Protection Design and Licensing for an Experimental Fusion Facility: The Italian and European Approaches

This paper concerns an analysis regarding the performance of X-ray equipment as well as the radiological safety in veterinary facilities. Data were collected from 380 X-ray veterinary facilities countrywide during the on-site regulatory inspections carried out by the Greek Atomic Energy Commission. The analysis of the results shows that the majority of the veterinary radiographic systems perform within the acceptable limits; moreover, the design and shielding of X-ray rooms as well as the applied procedures ensure a high level of radiological safety for the practitioners, operators and the members of the public. An issue that requires specific attention in the optimization process for the proper implementation of veterinary radiology practices in terms of radiological safety is the continuous training of the personnel. The above findings and the regulatory experience gained were valuable decision-making elements regarding the type of the regulatory control of veterinary radiology practices in the new radiation protection framework.

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Radioiodine treatment of feline hyperthyroidism in Germany

Nuklearmedizin ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1625296 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 41 (06) ◽

pp. 245-251 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

M. Knietsch ◽

T. Spillmann ◽

E.-G. Grünbaum ◽

R. Bauer ◽

M. Puille

Keyword(s):

Radiation Exposure ◽

Radiation Protection ◽

Thyroid Function ◽

Radioiodine Therapy ◽

Whole Body ◽

Radioiodine Treatment ◽

Normal Thyroid ◽

Normal Thyroid Function ◽

Body Activity ◽

Thyroid Uptake

SummaryAim: Establishment of radioiodine treatment of feline hyperthyroidism in veterinary routine in accordance with German radiation protection regulations. Patients and methods: 35 cats with proven hyperthyroidism were treated with 131I in a special ward. Thyroid uptake and effective halflife were determined using gammacamera dosimetry. Patients were released when measured whole body activity was below the limit defined in the German “Strahlenschutzverordnung”. Results: 17/20 cats treated with 150 MBq radioiodine and 15/15 cats treated with 250 MBq had normal thyroid function after therapy, normal values for FT3 and FT4 were reached after two and normal TSH levels after three weeks. In 14 cats normal thyroid function was confirmed by controls 3-6 months later. Thyroidal iodine uptake was 24 ± 10%, effective halflife 2.5 ± 0.7 days. Whole body activity <1 MBq was reached 13 ± 4 days after application of 131I. Radiation exposure of cat owners was estimated as 1.97 Sv/MBq for adults. Conclusion: Radioiodine therapy of feline hyper-thyroidism is highly effective and safe. It can easily be performed in accordance with German radiation protection regulations, although this requires hospitalisation for approximately two weeks. Practical considerations on radiation exposure of cat owners do not justify this long interval. Regulations for the veterinary use of radioactive substances similar to existing regulations for medical use in humans are higly desirable.

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