Aims and objectives
Personnel and radiation safety monitoring is an important safety precaution in the practice of diagnostic radiology since computed tomography (CT) scan carry well-known potential risks.
During the past few years efforts have been made to reduce the radiation dose in CT,
but the number of CT examinations is always increasing,
therefore the concern over occupational radiation exposure raised as well.
So,
the main goal of this study was to assess the occupational radiation exposure on radiographer from a CT-scan Room.
Methods and materials
The radiation survey has been carried out by the measurement of radiation in a operator room from a 6-slices CT equipment.
The measurements were performed during different type of procedures using a personal TLD dosimeter) and a portable radiation measuring instrument (Micro-Roentgen Radiation Monitor,
model RM-60),
both placed in the radiographer operating station (Fig. 1).
This specific device has a detection system capable of detecting and detect radiation levels as low as 1 mR / h (≈ 0.01 mSv / h),
with the sensitivity of...
Results
Throught the analisys of Fig. 2 it is demonstrated the measurements of the background radiation ratio during one day and the background radiation was 0,112 mGy/h (1mSv/year).
The occupational radiation exposure obtained with the portable radiation measuring instrument was 0,214 mGy/h (Fig. 3).
Considering a radiographer work schedule of 35 hours/week and 47 weeks/year,
the occupational radiation exposure was 0,4 mSv/year.
The CT examinations that most contributes for the occupational exposure were the Pelvis (0,459 mGy),
Abdomen-Pelvis (0,440 mGy) and Lumbar spine (0,420 mGy) (Fig....
Conclusion
Radiographers present occupational radiation exposure risk from CT scan examinations but the levels are below to the limits established by the national law (20 mSv/year).
However,
ways to minimize radiation,
formal training regarding radiation safety and utilization of personal protective equipment should not be undervalued.
Personal information
Ricardo Dias (BSc),
Collaborator in the Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy Department,
Health School - University of Algarve,
Portugal.
Radiographer in the radiology department of Hospital Particular do Algarve - Portugal.
Email:
[email protected]
António Abrantes (PhD),
Professor in the Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy Department,
Health School - University of Algarve,
Portugal.
Researcher in CICS.NOVA (Interdisciplinary Centre of Social Sciences,
Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities) and Member of Studies Center in Healthcare (CES-ESSUALG).
E-mail:
[email protected]
Luís Ribeiro (PhD),
Professor in the Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy Department,...
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