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"radiation safety"
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Designing and Fabricating Nano-Structured and Micro-Structured Radiation Shields for Protection against CBCT Exposure
Researchers have always been interested in finding new and effective materials for protection against radiation. This experimental study aimed to design and fabricate new types of nano-material and micro-material based shields against the ionizing effect of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) X-rays. To fabricate a flexible prototype, we added dioctyl phthalate (DOP) oil to emulsion polyvinyl chloride (PVC) powder. The paste was mixed and dispersed. Then, nano- and micro-powders of WO3 and Bi2O3 were added to the paste, with the weight ratio of 20% PVC, 20% DOP, and 60% nano- and micro-metals. Using an ultrasonic mixer, the polymer matrix and metals were mixed and a paste with a thick texture was developed. The resultant paste was poured into glass molds and the molds were then heated in an oven. After cooling, the resultant sheets were selected for further experiments. A CBCT unit and dosimeter were used to evaluate the characterization and X-ray shielding properties of the fabricated prototypes. The half-value layers (HVL) for nano-WO3, micro-WO3, nano-Bi2O3, and micro-Bi2O3 were 0.0390, 0.0524, 0.0351, and 0.0374 cm, respectively. In addition, the linear attenuation coefficient (µ) for these materials were 17.77, 13.20, 19.71, and 18.5 cm−1, respectively. The findings indicate that nano-structured samples are more effective in the attenuation of X-ray energy. The nano-structured WO3 prototype was nearly 34% more efficient in attenuating radiation compared to the micro-structured WO3 prototype. This difference in nano- and micro-structured Bi2O3 prototypes was 6.5%.
Journal Article
Reducing the Breast Cancer Risk and Radiation Dose of Radiography for Scoliosis in Children: A Phantom Study
Full-spinal radiographs (FRs) are often the first choice of imaging modality in the investigation of scoliosis. However, FRs are strongly related to breast cancer occurrence due to multiple large-field radiographic examinations taken during childhood and adolescence, which may increase the risk for breast cancer in adulthood among women with scoliosis. The purpose of this study was to consider various technical parameters to reduce the patient radiation dose of FRs for scoliosis. To evaluate breast surface doses (BSDs) in FRs, radio photoluminescence dosimeters were placed in contact with a child phantom. Using the PC-based Monte Carlo (PMC) program for calculating patient doses in medical X-ray examinations, the breast organ dose (BOD) and the effective dose were calculated by performing Monte Carlo simulations using mathematical phantom models. The BSDs in the posteroanterior (PA) view were 0.15–0.34-fold those in the anteroposterior (AP) view. The effective dose in the PA view was 0.4–0.61-fold that in the AP view. BSD measurements were almost equivalent to the BODs obtained using PMC at all exposure settings. During FRs, the PA view without an anti-scatter grid significantly reduced the breast dose compared to the AP view with an anti-scatter grid.
Journal Article
Assessing and improving radiation safety in cardiac catheterization: a study from Cairo University Hospital
Background
Catheter laboratories are high-radiation exposure environments, especially during X-ray procedures like percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and electrophysiological studies. Radiation exposure poses risks of stochastic (e.g., cancer) and deterministic (e.g., skin changes) effects. This study assessed radiation safety and health practices in a cardiac catheterization unit to optimize radiation safety. A cross-sectional study in Cairo University Hospital (March–September 2019) evaluated 700 patients and healthcare workers. Real-time radiation measurements, educational lectures, and radiation protection measures were implemented in three phases. Data on radiation exposure, procedures, and compliance were collected and analyzed.
Results
The total procedure time and fluoroscopy time per cardiologist did not significantly differ between phases, but there was a statistically significant reduction in the mean total cumulative radiation doses between Phase I and Phase III for cardiologists (
P
= 0.013). Among nurses and technicians, there was no significant difference in radiation doses between the two phases. Significant correlations were found between operators' radiation doses, procedure time, and fluoroscopy time. Patients' radiation doses decreased significantly from Phase I to Phase III, with correlations between dose, procedure time, and gender. Compliance with radiation protection measures was suboptimal.
Conclusions
Compliance with radiation safety standards in the cardiac catheterization unit at the Cairo University Hospital needs improvement. The study highlights the importance of adhering to radiation safety principles and optimizing protective measures to reduce radiation exposure for both patients and healthcare personnel. Despite low compliance, significant reductions in radiation doses were achieved with increased awareness and adherence to specific protection measures. Future efforts should focus on enhancing radiation safety protocols and organ-specific radiation impact assessments.
Journal Article
Hybrid Operating Room System for the Treatment of Thoracic and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Evaluation of the Radiation Dose Received by Patients
In recent years, endovascular treatment of aortic aneurysms has attracted considerable attention as a promising alternative to traditional surgery. Hybrid operating room systems (HORSs) are increasingly being used to perform endovascular procedures. The clinical benefits of endovascular treatments using HORSs are very clear, and these procedures are increasing in number. In procedures such as thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and endovascular aortic repair (EVAR), wires and catheters are used to deliver and deploy the stent graft in the thoracic/abdominal aorta under fluoroscopic control, including DSA. Thus, the radiation dose to the patient is an important issue. We determined radiation dose indicators (the dose–area product (DAP) and air karma (AK) parameters) associated with endovascular treatments (EVAR and TEVAR) using a HORS. As a result, the mean ± standard deviation (SD) DAPs of TEVAR and EVAR were 323.7 ± 161.0 and 371.3 ± 186.0 Gy × cm2, respectively. The mean ± SD AKs of TEVAR and EVAR were 0.92 ± 0.44 and 1.11 ± 0.54 Gy, respectively. The mean ± SD fluoroscopy times of TEVAR and EVAR were 13.4 ± 7.1 and 23.2 ± 11.7 min, respectively. Patient radiation dose results in this study of endovascular treatments using HORSs showed no deterministic radiation effects, such as skin injuries. However, radiation exposure during TEVAR and EVAR cannot be ignored. The radiation dose should be evaluated in HORSs during endovascular treatments. Reducing/optimizing the radiation dose to the patient in HORSs is important.
Journal Article
Compliance with radiation protection among radiographers in Eswatini public health facilities
Background: The consequence of non-compliance with patient radiation safety standards increases unnecessary radiation exposure with high chances of harmful biological effects. Radiographers are trained to prevent these harmful effects by enforcing radiation protection, which is achieved through proper techniques, equipment, shielding materials and beam collimation.Aim: The study aimed to explore compliance with radiation protection by radiographers in Eswatini public health facilities (PHFs).Setting: Eswatini PHFs with radiography departments (RDs) representing all four regions in the country.Methods: The study applied a qualitative exploratory design. Purposive sampling was used to select participants. In-depth face-to-face interviews were conducted with radiographers (who have at least 2 years of work experience) until data saturation was achieved with the 13th participant. Data were analysed thematically.Results: A total of three themes were identified from the data analysis, namely participants’ attitudes towards compliance with radiation safety standards; participants’ subjective norms; and perceived behavioural control factors.Conclusion: The study demonstrated radiographers’ awareness and knowledge of patient radiation safety standards. However, compliance with the standards remained a personal decision as radiographers are not obliged to comply. Moreover, defective lead protective devices, the unavailability of the full scope of lead protective designs, the inappropriate design of the RD building and unauthorised staff making unjustified X-ray requests contributed to non-compliance.Contribution: The study highlighted a gap in compliance with patient radiation safety standards that requires attention from Eswatini’s Ministry of Health (MOH).
Journal Article
Specifics of radioactive waste management at the power unit No.2 of the Armenian nuclear power plant
This paper discusses a detailed description of the management of radioactive waste (RW) generated during operation at power unit No. 2 of the Armenian NPP during the design and additional (extended) life of the Armenian NPP power unit. The resulting RW of different types (solid, liquid, gaseous) and of different classes, from very low to high activity, which are regulated according to the rules and norms of radiation safety, are described. Options for the preparation of RW for long-term storage with solid medium-active and low-active RW at the industrial site of the Armenian NPP are considered. The principles of continuous step-by-step improvement of safety through modernization are proposed, which implies performing analyses of compliance of the power unit with the requirements of modern safety regulations, including international ones, based on modern technologies, IAEA recommendations, probabilistic safety assessments and analysis of local and international operating experience, lessons learned from accidents and incidents at nuclear power plants, elimination of deviations from existing standards and rules. It is proposed to introduce new technologies and facilities for processing intermediate storage of RW before disposal, improve and modernize existing storage facilities, and create new storage volumes that ensure the safe operation of the Armenian NPP power unit, including extending the service life and decommissioning of power units. The omissions in the management system that create difficulties in handling RW in the Republic of Armenia are indicated. The models of increasing the safety level of RW storage at nuclear power plants by introducing a unified RW management system are formulated, which will reduce the formation of RW of various types and activities, improve and expand the system of safe management of RW and SNF in the Republic of Armenia.
Journal Article
Using the theory of planned behaviour to determine radiation protection among South African diagnostic radiographers: a cross‐sectional survey
Introduction The use of ionising radiation in medicine accounts for the majority of radiation exposure from artificial sources. Therefore, all measures to safeguard against unnecessary radiation exposure must be taken. As radiographers are central to radiation protection, this study aimed to determine South African radiographers’ attitude towards radiation protection, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control concerning radiation protection. Methods This quantitative cross‐sectional study used an online theory of a planned behaviour radiation protection questionnaire shared through social media platforms from August 2019 to February 2020. Diagnostic radiographers registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and employed at radiology departments in South Africa were invited to participate in the study. Results Four hundred and seventeen radiographers in South Africa responded to the questionnaire. The majority of respondents (90%, n = 376) plan to use radiation protection; however, only 16% continuously used radiation protection in the past. Respondents felt that using radiation protection was extremely good (72.2%), pleasant (47%), beneficial (74.1%), rewarding (55.2%) and worth the time (52.5%); 57% of respondents indicated that using radiation protection takes longer to complete the examination. Respondents report that approval from patients (43.5%), patients’ family (32%), radiographer coworkers (31%), radiology managers (47%) and radiologists (43.9%) is very much important to them. Conclusion The study shows that even though fewer respondents use radiation protection at present, most respondents plan and intend to use radiation protection measures. Respondents felt that radiation protection was good and beneficial, with some respondents feeling that radiation protection is not worth the time, which coincide with lengthening the examination. Overall, South African radiographers’ attitudes towards radiation protection, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control and radiation protection intention were high. Radiographers are central to radiation protection. Therefore, this quantitative study used the theory of planned behaviour to determine South African diagnostic radiographers’ attitude towards radiation protection, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control concerning radiation protection. Overall South African diagnostic radiographers' attitudes to radiation protection, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, and radiation protection intention was high.
Journal Article
Nuclear Energy
Here is an authoritative reference on all aspects of the nuclear industry from fundamental reactor physics calculations to reactor design, nuclear fuel resources, nuclear fuel cycle, radiation detection and protection, and nuclear power economics.
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