The Safety of Radiation Exposure to the Public By Heather Maurer The thought of radiation expose can alarm many

people. What most people dont realize is that we receive radiation every day, its just isnt regulated. There are three sources of what is called background radiation, cosmic rays, terrestrial radiation, and internal exposure. The amount received of all three sources is somewhat dependent on geographical location. Cosmic rays contribute approximately 0.26 millisieverts annually to someone living at sea level in the United States. These rays originate from the sun. Terrestrial radiation comes from naturally radioactive materials in the earth such as uranium, thorium, and radium. In The United States the annual average is between 0.16 and 0.63 millisieverts. Though Radon seems to be classified under Terrestrial it is often counted as its own category due to the high percentage. Internal exposure comes from materials already in our bodies or that we ingest with our food such as potassium. Internal exposure typically only accounts for 0.2 millisieverts per year. Overall the average effective dose equivalent for someone living in The United States is 3 millisieverts per year. 8% cosmic, 8% terrestrial, 11% Internal, 55% Radon and 18% manmade.1 There was even program developed by the CDRH (Center for Devices and Radiological Health) to address the health needs of the public in regards to radiation exposure. The NCRP ( National Council of Radiation Protection and Measurements) is even monitoring emissions from electronic devices such as televisions. Though the emissions are small they are of interest because of the large amount of people exposed to them.2 Taking all of this into account there are still some medical procedures that require the use of radiation. The act of using radiation is not something taken lightly. Medical professionals are trained starting as students how to utilize radiation with the safety of the public, their patient, and themselves in mind. One of the most common guidelines is ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable). To assure this guideline is being followed exposure levels for the public and health care workers are regulated through guidelines put in place by the state and federal agencies.2 One of the committees used to ensure students are learning these guidelines is JRCERT (Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology). This committee accredits programs for radiation therapy and medical imaging.3 One of their main concerns is radiation protection regarding students. Students must have their exposures measured just like the workers

do. Most often film badges or dosimeters are worn and collected for readings monthly or quarterly depending on the institution. Healthcare workers that are involved with radiation have a higher acceptable exposure limit than the public, called occupational effective dose equivalent limit, which is set by the NCRP. In general the limit for a radiation worker is 50-500 millisieverts whereas the limit for the general public is 1-5 millisieverts.4 These values are dependent on the frequency and area of the exposure and do not take into account any medical procedures a person may have had done. These limits must be kept in mind when building any area where radiation will be used. Depending on the type of radiation different shielding techniques may be used. Most often in radiation therapy departments there is a combination of concrete and lead used as shielding for the treatment rooms. When designing the layout of the room careful consideration is taken as to which direction the machine will be pointing and where the patients and other non-workers will be sitting. More shielding is required on walls with nonworkers or general public on the other side than that of walls with workers behind it. Other safety features that may be required by the NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) or state are things such as Warning signs, these must be posted on entry doors to treatment rooms. This way people will be notified before entering a radiation area. Waning lights, must be at all entry doors to treatment rooms as well as on the control panel for the workers and in the treatment room. This is another visual warning that you are entering a radiation area. Door interlocks, designed so that radiation cannot be delivered while a treatment room door is open and will stop if the door is opened during treatment. This helps to avoid someone being exposed by walking into a treatment room while the beam is on. Visual and aural communication, this is often through a closed circuit television and an intercom system but can also be through leaded glass in some instances. This allows communication with the patient to see/hear if they are in distress. As well as a way to see/hear if any undesired person is in the room. Emergency off buttons, these are buttons located in several places in the room or on the controls that will cut power to the machine when pressed. This allows someone inside the room to stop their exposure on their own.

One other way safety is practiced is by doing QA (Quality assurance) on all machines and their safety equipment. For example the door interlocks, warning signs and communication equipment may be checked daily as well as some output of the machine whereas other things are checked monthly, quarterly or annually to assure the machine is functioning properly. All these things are taken into account to prevent any time of accidental exposure to the patient, a worker, or the public.

1.

Washington CM, Leaver D. Principles and Practice of Radiation Therapy. 2nd ed. St Louis, MO: Mosby-Elsevier; 2004. 338-339

2.

Chandra A, Godby N. A brief overview of policies and procedures associated with exposure to radiation in healthcare institutions. In Context. 2007: 85(2): 19-23

3. 4.

Eatmon S, Aaron L. Safety matters. Radiologic Technology. 2013: 84(4):434-436 Washington CM, Leaver D. Principles and Practice of Radiation Therapy. 2nd ed. St Louis, MO: Mosby-Elsevier; 2004. 346-347