Proposal for Reduction Measures of Eye Lens Exposure Based on Actual Exposure Management in Radiation-exposed Medical Staff

Radiation dose management of medical staff has become increasingly important. Particularly, based on the statement by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) in 2011, a new lower equivalent dose limit for the eye lens is being established in each country. Although many reports have discussed the occupational radiation dose in interventional radiology (IR), few studies have examined the dose during computed tomography (CT) examinations. This study investigated the radiation dose exposure to medical staff present in the CT room during irradiation, with particular focus on the exposure to eye lens. The radiation dose exposure to those who assist patients during head, chest and upper abdomen CT examination was measured in a phantom study. The radiation dose exposure with scattered radiation was never negligible (i.e., high); Hp(3) was the highest in head CT examination, at 0.44 mSv per examination. Furthermore, the shielding effect of radiation protection glasses was large, and radiation protection glasses are useful tools for the medical staff who are involved in CT examinations. The justification and optimisation should be carefully considered in assistant actions.

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Characterization of Small Dosimeters Used for Measurement of Eye Lens Dose for Medical Staff during Fluoroscopic Examination

Diagnostics ◽

10.3390/diagnostics11020150 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 150

Author(s):

Kosuke Matsubara ◽

Sayu Yoshida ◽

Ayaka Hirosawa ◽

Thunyarat Chusin ◽

Yasushi Furukawa

Keyword(s):

Energy Dependence ◽

Medical Staff ◽

Vertical Direction ◽

Eye Lens ◽

X Rays ◽

Air Kerma ◽

Fluoroscopic Examination ◽

Dose Linearity ◽

Fluoroscopic Time ◽

The Right

This study aimed to evaluate the property of small dosimeters used for measuring eye lens doses for medical staff during fluoroscopic examination. Dose linearity, energy dependence, and directional dependence of scattered X-rays were evaluated for small radiophotoluminescence glass dosimeters (RPLDs), those with a tin filter (Sn-RPLDs), and small optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs). These dosimeters were pasted on radioprotective glasses, and accumulated air kerma was obtained after irradiating the X-rays to a patient phantom. Strong correlations existed between fluoroscopic time and accumulated air kerma in all types of dosimeters. The energy dependence of Sn-RPLD and OSLD was smaller than that of RPLD. The relative dose value of the OSLD gradually decreased as the angle of the OSLD against the scattered X-rays was larger or lower than the right angle in the horizontal direction. The ranges of relative dose values of RPLD and Sn-RPLD were larger than that of OSLD in the vertical direction. The OSLDs showed lower doses than the RPLDs and Sn-RPLDs, especially on the right side of the radioprotective glasses. These results showed that RPLDs, Sn-RPLDs, and OSLDs had different dosimeter properties, and influence measured eye lens doses for the physician, especially on the opposite side of the patient.

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New Eye Lens Dose Limit: Status of Knowledge in Campania Hospitals

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16183450 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (18) ◽

pp. 3450

Author(s):

Vittoria D’Avino ◽

Leopoldo Angrisani ◽

Giuseppe La Verde ◽

Mariagabriella Pugliese ◽

Adelaide Raulo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Medical Staff ◽

Training Programs ◽

Eye Lens ◽

Dose Limit ◽

Campania Region ◽

X Ray ◽

Eye Lens Dose ◽

Raising Awareness ◽

The Status

The International Commission on Radiation Protection (ICRP) in 2011 recommended the lowering of the annual eye lens dose limit from 150 mSv/year to 20 mSv/year in order to reduce the risk of X-ray-induced lens opacity in medical staff. The purpose of this study was to assess the status of knowledge of the new eye lens dose limit and of the radioprotection culture among operators. To this end, a questionnaire was administered to physicians, X-ray technicians, and nurses working in five hospitals of the Campania region, Italy. A total of 64 questionnaires were collected in the hospital departments in which procedures involving ionizing radiation were routinely performed. The data analyzed yielded the following results: 12 operators affirmed to know the new eye lens dose limit, 53 operators routinely wore lead aprons, and 23 operators used lead glasses. Four workers performed eye lens dosimetry through specific dosimeters. A significant lack of knowledge of the reduced eye lens dose limit suggests the need to implement radioprotection-training programs aimed at raising awareness about the importance of health care in the workplace and at reducing the risk of radio-induced effects to the eye lens.

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