RADIATION

PROTECTION

PRESENTED BY: SANDRA PAGAYAO-PANTARAN

MEDICAL PHYSICIST, CRMC
 OUTLINE:

QUANTITIES AND UNITS IN RADIATION PROTECTION

TYPES OF RADIATION EXPOSURE IN CLINICAL SETUP

CLASSIFICATION OF AREAS

SAFETY IN THE DESIGN OF FACILITIES AND ANCILLARY

EQUIPMENTS

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGIST

 PENETRATING POWER OF RADIATION

Source: https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/Sacramento_City_College/SCC%3A_CHEM_330_-_Adventures_in_Chemistry_(Alviar-Agnew)/11%3A_Nuclear_Chemistry/11.06%3A_Penetrating_Power_of_Radiation
QUANTITIES AND UNITS IN RADIATION PROTECTION

PHYSICAL QUANTITIES
- Radioactivity
- Absorbed Dose

RADIATION PROTECTION QUANTITIES

- Equivalent Dose
- Effective Dose
 PHYSICAL QUANTITIES

Activity A(t) of an amount of a radionuclide in

a particular energy state at a given time is
given as:
𝑑𝑁 ln 2
𝐴 𝑡 = = 𝜆𝑁 𝑡 = 𝑁
𝑑𝑡 𝑡1/2

𝝀 is the decay constant of radioactive nucleus.

N(t) is the number of radioactive nuclei at time
t.

𝒕𝟏/𝟐 is the half-life of the radioactive nucleus.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radioactive_decay
 PHYSICAL QUANTITIES

Source: https://www.epa.gov/radiation/radiation-terms-and-units
RADIOACTIVE SOURCES IN BRACHYTHERAPY

Radioactive source Half Life

Cs- 131 9.7 days
Palladium-103 16.96 days
Iodine- 125 60.25 days
Iridium- 192 74.17 days
Cobalt-60 5.3 Years
PHYSICAL QUANTITIES

Absorbed dose D is defined as

𝑑𝜀
D=
𝑑𝑚

𝒅𝜺 is the mean energy imparted to matter of mass dm.

The SI unit for absorbed dose is 1J/kg and its name is the gray
(Gy)

The older unit of absorbed dose is rad,

1 Gray = 100 cGy = 100 rad.
 PHYSICAL QUANTITIES

Source: https://www.epa.gov/radiation/radiation-terms-and-units
RADIATION PROTECTION QUANTITIES

Equivalent Dose HT is defined by the organ dose DT,R

multiplied by a radiation weighting factor WR to
- EQUIVALENT DOSE account for the effectiveness of the given radiation in
- EFFECTIVE DOSE inducing biological detriment or harm:

HT = WR DT,R

DT,R is the absorbed dose delivered by radiation type R

averaged over a tissue or organ T.

WR Is the radiation weighting factor for radiation type

R.
RADIATION PROTECTION QUANTITIES

Biological detriment to an organ depends upon:

- Physical average dose received by the organ
- Pattern of the dose distribution that results from the radiation type and
energy.

For the same dose to the organ, alpha or neutron radiation will cause
greater harm compared with gamma rays, x rays, or electrons because the
ionization events produced by alpha or neutron radiation will be much
more closely spaced.
RADIATION PROTECTION QUANTITIES

Radiation weighting factor wR is a dimensionless number which depends

on the way in which the energy of the radiation is distributed along its
path through the tissue.

wR = 1 for all x rays, gamma rays, and electrons

wR = 5 for protons, EK > 2 MeV; neutrons EK < 10 keV
wR =10 for neutrons 10 keV < EK < 100 keV and EK > 2 MeV
wR = 20 for neutrons 100 keV < EK < 2 MeV
wR = 20 for alpha particles, fission fragments, heavy nuclei
LINEAR ENERGY TRANSFER

LET of a radiation describes the

rate of energy deposition along
the track (in keV/𝜇m):

High LET radiation:

Heavy charged particles

Low LET radiation:

X rays, gamma rays, electrons
(beta particles)
RADIATION PROTECTION QUANTITIES

The SI unit of equivalent dose HT is J/kg and its name is the Sievert (Sv).

The relationship between Sievert and the rem is:

1 Sv = 100 rem

𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆:
For 1 Gy of photon dose to an organ (organ dose DT = 1 Gy), the equivalent
dose HT = 1Sv, since wR = 1 for photons.

For 1 Gy of organ dose of 20 keV neutrons, the equivalent dose

HT = 10 Sv, since wR = 10 for 20 keV neutrons.
 RADIATION PROTECTION QUANTITIES

Effective Dose, E is defined as the measure

of the risk of long-term effects of ionizing
radiation on human body, organs, and
- EQUIVALENT DOSE tissues, accounting for their sensitivity to
- EFFECTIVE DOSE radiation.

Unit of effective dose E is J/kg and its name

is the Sievert (Sv)
WT = 0.20 for gonads
WT = 0.12 for lung, bone marrow, colon, stomach
WT = 0.05 for bladder, breast, liver, esophagus, thyroid
WT = 0.01 for skin, bone surface
WT = 1.0 for whole body total
 RADIATION PROTECTION QUANTITIES

Source: https://www.epa.gov/radiation/radiation-terms-and-units
SUMMARY OF RADIATION UNITS AND QUANTITIES

Becquerel (Bq) How severe are

Sievert (Sv)
the health
How often does
effects?
the decay of
radioactive
materials occur?

How much
energy are
absorbed by
matter?

Grey (Gy)
TYPES OF RADIATION EXPOSURE IN CLINICAL SETUP

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE

MEDICAL EXPOSURE

PUBLIC EXPOSURE
 TYPES OF RADIATION EXPOSURE IN CLINICAL SETUP

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
Defined as all exposure of workers
incurred in the course of their work

Conditions of Service
-Pregnant workers
-Alternative employment
-Conditions for young persons

Source: https://www.123rf.com/clipart-vector/occupational_hazard.html
 TYPES OF RADIATION EXPOSURE IN CLINICAL SETUP

The exposure incurred:

MEDICAL EXPOSURE - By patients, as part of their medical
diagnosis.

- By individuals, other than those

occupationally exposed, while
voluntarily helping in the support
and comfort of patients

- By volunteers, in a program of
research involving their exposure.

Source: https://www.123rf.com/clipart-vector/x_ray_cartoon.html
 TYPES OF RADIATION EXPOSURE IN CLINICAL SETUP

PUBLIC EXPOSURE The exposure incurred by members

of the public from radiation sources,
excluding any occupational or
medical exposure.

Source: https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/radioactive
Source: https://www.rmipc.net/services/nuclear-medicine/
CLASSIFICATION OF AREAS

CONTROLLED AREAS SUPERVISED AREAS

any area in which specific

protective measures or safety Any area not designated as
provisions are or could be controlled area but where
required for: occupational exposure
conditions need to be kept under
1. Controlling normal exposures review even though specific
or preventing the spread of protection measure and safety
contamination during normal provisions are not normally
working conditions; needed.
2. Preventing or limiting the
extent of potential exposures.
CLASSIFICATION OF AREAS

UNCONTROLLED AREAS

All other areas in the hospital or

clinic and the surrounding
environment.

1. Those occupied by individuals

such as patients, visitors to the
facility, and employees who
do not work routinely with or
around radiation sources;
2. Areas adjacent to but not part
of the x-ray facility.
GENERAL X-RAY ROOM

Controlled Area
Uncontrolled Areas

Controlled area is a limited

access area in which the
occupational exposure of
personnel to radiation is under the
supervision of an individual in
charge of radiation protection.

X-Ray Procedure Rooms

Control Booths
MAMMOGRAPHY X-RAY

Controlled Area
Uncontrolled Areas
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) ROOM

Controlled Area
Uncontrolled Areas
TYPICAL RADIOTHERAPY FACILITY

Controlled Room
Supervised Room
BUNKER 1 BUNKER 2

Control 1 Control 2
TYPICAL RADIOTHERAPY FACILITY

EMERGENCY “OFF” BUTTONS

TYPICAL RADIOTHERAPY FACILITY
TYPICAL RADIOTHERAPY FACILITY

Controlled Room
Supervised Room
Preparation/
Procedure
Room

Control Room
Brachytherapy
Treatment
Room

Recovery
Room
LAYOUT FOR NUCLEAR MEDICINE FACILITY

Controlled Room
Supervised Room
PURPOSE OF RADIATION PROTECTION

The Purpose of radiation protection standard settings defined by

the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) are:

1. Prevent the occurrence of deterministic effects of

radiation.
2. Limit to an acceptable level the occurrence of the
stochastic effects of radiation.
3 PRINCIPLES OF RADIATION PROTECTION

JUSTIFICATION
No unnecessary use of radiation
permitted,

DOSE LIMITATION ”the advantages must outweigh the

disadvantages”

OPTIMIZATION
3 PRINCIPLES OF RADIATION PROTECTION

JUSTIFICATION

Each individual must be protected

against risks that are far too large
DOSE LIMITATION
through individual radiation dose
limits

OPTIMIZATION
PRINCIPLES OF RADIATION PROTECTION FOR MEDICAL EXPOSURE

JUSTIFICATION

OPTIMIZATION

DOSE LIMITATION
3 PRINCIPLES OF RADIATION PROTECTION

Radiation doses should all be kept

JUSTIFICATION ALARA.

It is not enough to remain under

radiation dose limits, but that
DOSE LIMITATION radiation doses are as low as
reasonably achievable.

Means much lower than permitted

limit.
OPTIMIZATION
OPTIMIZATION OF PROTECTION

In Diagnostic Medical Exposure

In Therapeutic Medical Exposure,
Optimization is achieved by
Optimization is achieved by
keeping the exposure of patients
keeping the exposure of normal
to the minimum necessary to
tissue ALARA consistent with
achieve the diagnostic objective:
delivering the required dose to the
planning target volume (PTV)
Appropriate balance between…

1. image quality
2. Patient exposure
OPTIMIZATION OF PROTECTION OAR AND TARGET DELINEATION

Contouring of :
- GTV
- CTV
- PTV
- Organs At Risk

Source: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02841860802372272
OPTIMIZATION OF PROTECTION POSITION VERIFICATION

Source: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02841860802372272
 OPTIMIZATION OF PROTECTION DOSE VOLUME HISTOGRAM

A graphical
representation of the
dose that is received
by normal tissues and
target volumes within
a radiation therapy
plan

Source: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02841860802372272
OPTIMIZATION OF PROTECTION IMMOBILIZATION DEVICES

Source: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Various-types-of-immobilization-devices-Upper-panels-are-reusable-and-customizable-to_fig2_327537963
RADIATION WARNING SYMBOLS

Non- Ionizing Large Radioactive

Ionizing Radiation
Radiation Sources

DROP IT AND RUN!

RADIATION WARNING SYMBOLS

Ms. MacKenzie, an IAEA radiation source specialist

clarifies that…

“the new symbol does not replace the trefoil symbol,

but it is an addition to it.

It should be placed on the radioactive source or

shielding or under the device cover. In many cases, it
won’t be visible under normal use but only visible to
someone attempting to dismantle the radioactive Large Radioactive
source.” Sources

DROP IT AND RUN!

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Source: https://deutschmedical.com.au/blogs/blog/how-to-compare-a-lead-aprons-weight-between-different-brands
AREA SURVEY METERS

Should be available on site

in the vicinity of
installations using sources
of ionizing radiation.

Source: https://med-pro.net/tld-dosimeter-vs-osl-dosimeter/
PERSONAL DOSIMETERS

OSL

TLD

PIC

EPD

Source: https://med-pro.net/tld-dosimeter-vs-osl-dosimeter/
RADIATION SAFETY COMMITTEE

Should oversee all installations using sources of ionizing radiation and the
installation must possess appropriate license issued by a national
regulatory agencies.
 LTO APPLICATION FOR THERAPEUTIC X-RAY FACILITY

REQUIREMENTS:
- Official receipt of personal dose monitor
- Copy Personal dose evaluation reports (for renewal)
- PROS Certificates and PRC ID/s of RadOnco
- PRC Board Certificates and PRC IDs for RadTech
- Philippines Board of Medical Physics certificates of ROMP
- Contract of employments

Additional:
- Acceptance Test Certificate
- Commissioning report of the equipment (LINAC)
- Conformance testing report of equipment (CT Sim)
- LINAC output calibration report
- Radiation Safety Program
- Shielding Calculations
- Concrete Compression Test
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGISTS

As Technologist you have a key position in protection of the patient:

1. Identify the patient.

2. Inform the patient.
3. Inform accompanying persons.
4. Verify that the female patient in not pregnant.
5. Contribute to the preparation of specifications for new equipment.
6. Participate in optimization of imaging protocols.
7. Perform radiological procedure following an optimized protocol and
ensuring patient protection.
8. Perform regular QC of radiological equipment.
9. Take record of patient doses.
10. Inform the radiologist and RPO in the case of an accident or incident.
REFERENCE:

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