A coherent framework for non-ionising radiation protection
A coherent and overarching framework for health protection from non-ionising radiation (NIR) does
not currently exist. Instead, many governments maintain different compliance needs targeting only
some NIR exposure situations. An international framework developed by the World Health Organization
would promote a globally consistent approach for the protection of people from NIR. Designed based
on decades of practical experience the framework provides guidance on establishing clear national
health and safety objectives and how they should be achieved. It supports multisectoral action and
engagement by providing a common...
Source: Journal of Radiological Protection - January 12, 2022 Category: Physics Authors: Rick Tinker, Jacques Abramowicz, Efthymios Karabetsos, Sigur ður Magnusson, Rüdiger Matthes, Mirjana Moser, Shengli Niu, John O’Hagan and Emilie van Deventer Source Type: research
US National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine launch low dose research strategy
initiative
Description unavailable (Source: Journal of Radiological Protection)
Source: Journal of Radiological Protection - December 7, 2021 Category: Physics Authors: Simon Bouffler Source Type: research
United States medical preparedness for nuclear and radiological emergencies
With the end of the Cold War in 1991, U.S. Government (USG) investments in radiation science and
medical preparedness were phased out; however, the events of 11 September, which involved a
terroristic attack on American soil, led to the re-establishment of funding for both radiation
preparedness and development of approaches to address injuries. Similar activities have also been
instituted worldwide, as the global threat of a radiological or nuclear incident continues to be a
concern. Much of the USG ’s efforts to plan for the unthinkable have centred on establishing clear
lines of communication between agencies wi...
Source: Journal of Radiological Protection - December 6, 2021 Category: Physics Authors: Andrea L DiCarlo, Mary J Homer and C Norman Coleman Source Type: research
Size-specific dose estimates (SSDEs) for computed tomography and influencing factors on it: a
systematic review
The actual dose received during a computed tomography (CT) examination depends on both the patient
size and the radiation output of the scanner. To represent the actual patient morphometry, a new
radiation dose metric named size-specific dose estimates (SSDEs) was developed by the American
Association of Physicists in Medicine in 2011. The purpose of this article is to review the SSDE
concept and the factors influencing it. Moreover, the appropriate methodology of SSDE determination
and the application of SSDE as a diagnostic reference-level quantity is critically analyzed based on
the data available in the literatur...
Source: Journal of Radiological Protection - December 6, 2021 Category: Physics Authors: D M Satharasinghe, J Jeyasugiththan, W M N M B Wanninayake and A S Pallewatte Source Type: research
Decommissioning procedure and induced activation levels, calculations and measurements in an 18 MeV
medical cyclotron
The present article describes the decommissioning of a self-shielded 18 MeV medical cyclotron IBA
Cyclone 18/9 after 14 years of operation. A Monte Carlo simulation of the possible nuclear reactions
was performed in order to plan the decommissioning activities. During the cyclotron dismantling, the
activities of the cyclotron components, concrete wall and floor samples were measured. Residual
activities were analysed by means of an HPGe detector and liquid scintillation counting, and
compared with simulation data. Dosimetry of the staff involved in the decommissioning procedure was
monitored by individual TL dosimete...
Source: Journal of Radiological Protection - December 6, 2021 Category: Physics Authors: Riccardo Calandrino, Simone Manenti, Flavia Groppi, Francesco Broggi, Carlo Bergamaschi, Andrea Ferrari, Simona Manenti, Massimiliano Nizzi, Alessandro Loria and Antonella del Vecchio Source Type: research
Obituary: Dr Norman Elwood Gentner
Description unavailable (Source: Journal of Radiological Protection)
Source: Journal of Radiological Protection - December 6, 2021 Category: Physics Source Type: research
Prevention and management of infections after exposure to ionising radiation
Ionising radiation impacts many organ systems, each of which comprises a level of immunity to
infectious disease. Bone marrow toxicity after radiation results in a predisposition to leukopenia
and subsequent susceptibility to bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Radiation-induced damage
to mucosal, integumentary, and solid organ structures disrupts additional lines of innate defense.
Over the past three decades, much progress has been made in effective antimicrobial prophylaxis,
resulting in decreased infectious complications and improved survival. Vaccination schedules
following myeloablative radiation have beco...
Source: Journal of Radiological Protection - December 6, 2021 Category: Physics Authors: Keri R Maher, Ian M Bouligny and Andrew M Yeager Source Type: research
Study, measurement and mitigation of radon activity concentration in the School of Computer Science
of A Coru ña in the North West of Spain
A study of the radon activity concentration was carried out at the School of Computer Science of
‘Universidade da Coruña’ (UDC, Spain). For this purpose, building location, the type of soil and the
construction materials were analysed. Subsequently, the radon activity concentration was determined
using two different techniques: measurement in situ with an on-site ionization chamber detector
(short term) and measurement with trace detectors (long term). Based on the results obtained, and
according with the Spanish Law (Spanish Official Bulletin —Boletín Oficial del Estado, of 21 December
2011, IS-33 Instructio...
Source: Journal of Radiological Protection - December 6, 2021 Category: Physics Authors: Goretti Arias-Ferreiro, A Otero-Pazos, Ana Ares-Pernas, I Fern ández-Ibáñez, B A Rodríguez-Gómez and J L Calvo-Rolle Source Type: research
Reflection on the proposed changes to dose quantities —an industrial perspective
In 2021, the ICRP initiated the revision of the general recommendations of the system of radiation
protection, and part of it will focus on dose quantities. The recently published ICRP Publication
147 and ICRU Report 95 have described the extent of the proposed modifications and paved the way for
the strategy to be adopted. These revisions would seek to simplify, improve the accuracy and extend
the field of use of dose quantities. While the Radiological Protection Working Group of the World
Nuclear Association recognises the notable improvement in the estimation of the protection
quantities and the usefulness of such...
Source: Journal of Radiological Protection - December 6, 2021 Category: Physics Authors: M Lips, E Anderson, K Nishida, G Schneider, J Zic, C Sanders, J Owen, J Hondros and A de Ruvo Source Type: research
High-dose radiation exposure and hypothyroidism: aetiology, prevention and replacement therapy
Without any doubt, high dose radiation exposure can induce hypothyroidism. However, there are open
questions related to the mechanisms of its induction, corresponding dose thresholds and possible
countermeasures. Therefore, this review addresses the aetiology, prevention and therapy of radiation
induced hypothyroidism. External beam radiotherapy with several 10 Gy to the head and neck region
and radioiodine therapy with several 100 Gy thyroid absorbed dose can destroy the thyroid gland and
can induce autoantibodies against thyroid tissue. According to recent literature, clinical
hypothyroidism is observed at threshol...
Source: Journal of Radiological Protection - December 6, 2021 Category: Physics Authors: Christoph Reiners, Heribert H änscheid and Rita Schneider Source Type: research
The Inter-Agency Committee on Radiation Safety —30 years of international coordination of radiation
protection and safety matters
The Inter-Agency Committee on Radiation Safety (IACRS) was constituted in 1990, as a forum for
collaboration and coordination between international bodies with regards to radiation safety. It
consists today of representatives of eight intergovernmental member organizations (the European
Commision, Food and Agriculture Organization, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),
International Labour Office, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development/ Nuclear Energy
Agency (OECD/NEA), Pan American Health Organization, United Nations Scientific Committee on the
Effects of Atomic Radiation and the World Health Or...
Source: Journal of Radiological Protection - December 6, 2021 Category: Physics Authors: Stefan Mundigl, Carl Blackburn, Miroslav Pinak, Tony Colgan, Christopher Clement, Thomas Otto, Miroslav Voytchev, Shengli Niu, Roger Coates, Bernard Le Guen, Alain Rannou, Edward Lazo, Jacqueline Garnier-Laplace, Pablo Jimenez, Borislava Batandjieva-Metca Source Type: research
Characterization of OSL dosimeters used at the ELI-beamlines laser-driven accelerator facility
The Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI) Beamlines laser-driven accelerator facility is set to operate
the most intense non-military laser system in the world, with ultra-high power up to 10 PW,
concentrated plasma intensities of up to 10 24 W cm −2 , and ultra-short laser pulses of the order
of few femtoseconds. A robust and redundant radiation monitoring system is in place to minimise
risks to personnel and general public. Beryllium oxide optically stimulated luminescence (BeO-OSL)
detectors are used to monitor radiation levels in the experimental building and surrounding grounds.
In fact, in recent years, BeO-OSL ...
Source: Journal of Radiological Protection - December 6, 2021 Category: Physics Authors: A Cimmino, D Horv áth, V Olšovcová, V Stránský, R Truneček and R Versaci Source Type: research
Review of extremity dosimetry in nuclear medicine
The exposure of the fingers is one of the major radiation protection concerns in nuclear medicine
(NM). The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the exposure, dosimetry and protection
of the extremities in NM. A wide range of reported finger doses were found in the literature.
Historically, the highest finger doses are found at the fingertip in the preparation and dispensing
of 18 F for diagnostic procedures and 90 Y for therapeutic procedures. Doses can be significantly
reduced by following recommendations on source shielding, increasing distance and training.
Additionally, important trends contributin...
Source: Journal of Radiological Protection - December 6, 2021 Category: Physics Authors: Robert Kollaard, Alessandra Zorz, J érémie Dabin, Peter Covens, Jennie Cooke, Melissa Crabbé, Lidia Cunha, Anita Dowling, Mercè Ginjaume and Leanne McNamara Source Type: research
Obituary for Wolfgang Weiss
Description unavailable (Source: Journal of Radiological Protection)
Source: Journal of Radiological Protection - December 6, 2021 Category: Physics Authors: Wolfgang-Ulrich M üller and Christian Streffer Source Type: research
Keeping the ICRP recommendations fit for purpose
The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has embarked on a review and revision
of the system of Radiological Protection that will update the 2007 general recommendations in ICRP
Publication 103 . This is the beginning of a process that will take several years, involving open
and transparent engagement with organisations and individuals around the world. While the system is
robust and has performed well, it must adapt to address changes in science and society to remain fit
for purpose. The aim of this paper is to encourage discussions on which areas of the system might
gain the greatest benefit f...
Source: Journal of Radiological Protection - December 6, 2021 Category: Physics Authors: C Clement, W R ühm, J Harrison, K Applegate, D Cool, C-M Larsson, C Cousins, J Lochard, S Bouffler, K Cho, M Kai, D Laurier, S Liu and S Romanov Source Type: research
