Application of a tungsten apron for occupational radiation exposure in nursing care of children with neuroblastoma during 131I-meta-iodo-benzyl-guanidine therapy

The use of effective shielding materials against radiation is important among medical staff in nuclear medicine. Hence, the current study investigated the shielding effects of a commercially available tungsten apron using gamma ray measuring instruments. Further, the occupational radiation exposure of nurses during 131I-meta-iodo-benzyl-guanidine (131I-MIBG) therapy for children with high-risk neuroblastoma was evaluated. Attachable tungsten shields in commercial tungsten aprons were set on a surface-ray source with 131I, which emit gamma rays. The mean shielding rate value was 0.1 ± 0.006 for 131I. The shielding effects of tungsten and lead aprons were evaluated using a scintillation detector. The shielding effect rates of lead and tungsten aprons against 131I was 6.3% ± 0.3% and 42.1% ± 0.2% at 50 cm; 6.1% ± 0.5% and 43.3% ± 0.3% at 1 m; and 6.4% ± 0.9% and 42.6% ± 0.6% at 2 m, respectively. Next, we assessed the occupational radiation exposure during 131I-MIBG therapy (administration dose: 666 MBq/kg, median age: 4 years). The total occupational radiation exposure dose per patient care per 131I-MIBG therapy session among nurses was 0.12 ± 0.07 mSv. The average daily radiation exposure dose per patient care among nurses was 0.03 ± 0.03 mSv. Tungsten aprons had efficient shielding effects against gamma rays and would be beneficial to reduce radiation exposures per patient care per 131I-MIBG therapy session.

Recent advances in nuclear radiation protective clothing materials

With the development of science and technology, the opportunities for military forces and general citizens to be exposed to a radioactive environment have greatly increased. It is urgent to establish a mature nuclear, biological and chemical protection system, of which nuclear radiation protective clothing is a vital part. Radiation protective clothing is clothing that ensures the protection of people in a radioactive environment by reducing the radiation exposure dose. Owing to the advances in material science, it is possible to develop radiation protective clothing with better performance. In this review, we focus on X-ray, γ-ray and thermal neutron shielding and elaborate on the following 3 aspects by citing a variety of examples: methods for measuring the shielding performance of radiation protective clothing, radiation protective clothing materials and the prospects and existing problems. In addition, a number of commercial nuclear radiation protective clothing is introduced, and their evaluation is expounded to explain the problems.

Studi Paparan Radiasi pada Pekerja Radiasi Cathlab dengan Menggunakan My Dose Mini sebagai Upaya Keselamatan Radiasi di RSUP Adam Malik Medan

Cathlab radiation workers, when performing interventional procedures, are at high risk of the effects of radiation exposure. The risk of radiation exposure is deterministic and stochastic biological effects. Therefore, radiation exposure studies of radiation workers at the cath lab were conducted to determine the value of radiation exposure received. This radiation exposure study was conducted by measuring and recording radiation exposure doses received by radiation workers. Measurements are made when the radiation officer performs the intervention procedure. The research was carried out for one month in the cath lab room of the Adam Malik General Hospital, Medan. The modalities used are GE Medical System Interventional Fluoroscopy and Phillips Allura Xper FD20. The dosimeter used is “my dose mini”, which is placed inside a shield or apron worn by radiation workers. The size of the apron shield used is 0.50 mm Pb at the front and 0.25 mm Pb at the rear. Radiation officers whose radiation exposure dose was measured consisted of 10 doctors, 11 nurses, and one radiographer. Each inspection procedure of each radiation worker has a different distance, time, and shield from the radiation source. The measurement of radiation exposure dose is (1-59 μSv) for doctors, (1-58 μSv) for nurses, and 1 μSv for radiographers. To protect against radiation must pay attention to the factors of time, distance, and shielding. Ways that can do are to avoid being close to radiation sources for too long, keep a space at a safe level from radiation, and use shields such as Pb-coated aprons, use Pb gloves, Pb goggles, and thyroid protectors. The amount of radiation exposure dose received by each radiation worker at the time of measurement is still within the tolerance limit. The Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (BAPETEN) regulation, which the International Commission recommends on Radiological Protection (ICRP), is 20 mSv/year. The results of this study are expected to be used as input for improving the quality of service for monitoring radiation exposure doses in the Cathlab and as reference material for further research.

Review of personal radiation exposure dose and history of the interventional procedure records for 40 years

Objective To inspect personal dose as an interventional radiologist for 40 years, to assess the enforcement number of interventional radiology (IR), and to check for radiation cataract. Materials and methods I evaluated my own effective dose, an equivalent dose to the lens of the eye (EDL), and the number of IR procedures between March 2019 and June 1979. I examined the lens in June 2019 as a radiologist for 40 years. Results The accumulation dose was 0 mSv in 1979–88. During 1989–93, the right crystalline lens equivalence of the value dose was measured. During 1993–96, two badge items for the head, neck, and abdomen were present. Both were distributed, but attaching to the same part and reversing occurred frequently. The EDL of the recent 5 years has exceeded 100 mSv. No association with the number of IR procedures was recognized. Posterior subcapsular vacuoles (PSV) as the early changes of the radiation cataract were recognized as four on the left and one on the right. Conclusion It is important to get accustomed to film badge wearing, and the cancelation of making a mistake in the wearing part. Radiologists should check the PSV at a stage beyond a certain constant dose.

Radiation exposure to the urology surgeon during retrograde intrarenal surgery

Retrograde intrarenal surgery is a common procedure that carries a risk of radiation exposure for urologists. This study aimed to measure the amount of radiation that urologists are exposed to during surgery, and to estimate how many procedures can be safely performed by one urologist per year. Variables that affect radiation exposure were also identified. Radiation exposure doses were measured for the eye, neck, chest, arms, and hands of a urologist who performed 226 retrograde intrarenal surgeries. To determine how many procedures could be safely performed per year, the Annual Permissible Occupational Exposure Radiation Dose Guidelines of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements were consulted. Correlations between radiation exposure dose and the patient’s age, sex, body mass index, stone number/burden/laterality/location/Hounsfield unit, and their renal calculi were calculated. The mean surgery and fluoroscopy durations were 83.2 and 5.13 min; the mean tube voltage and current were 68.88 kV and 2.48 mA, respectively. Cumulative radiation doses for the eye, neck, chest, right upper arm, left hand, and right hand were 65.53, 69.95, 131.79, 124.43, 165.66, and 126.64 mSv, respectively. Radiation reduction rates for lead collars and aprons were 97% and 98%, respectively. If the urologists wear only radiation shields and lead apron but do not wear safety glasses during RIRS, the recommended by the ICRP publication 103 is taken into consideration, our results showed that 517 RIRS can be performed per year safely. However, if no protective measures are taken, this number decreases to only 85 RIRS per year. At all measurement sites, significant correlations were observed between the radiation exposure dose and stone numbers and Hounsfield unit values. In conclusion, it is imperative that urologists wear protective gear. Greater effort should be made to reduce radiation exposure when renal calculi have a large number of stones or large Hounsfield unit values.