Radiation Safety In-Service House-Keeping and Security Departments. Petrone Associates LLC Specialists in Applied Medical Physics

Transcription

1 Radiation Safety In-Service House-Keeping and Security Departments 1

2 MEDICAL RADIATION SOURCES Radiation Producing Machines Radioactive Materials 2

3 Nuclear Medicine Radiation Therapy Research Laboratories Blood Irradiators 3

4 Types of Radiation Used in Medicine X-Rays X-Ray Machine Radioactive Materials: Alpha (a) Particles Beta (b - ) Particles Gamma (g) Rays 4

5 The Electromagnetic Energy Spectrum Ionizing Non-Ionizing Cosmic X-rays UV Visible IR Microwaves RF g-rays heat Radiowaves High Energy Low Energy 5

6 Photon Radiation X-Rays and Gamma (g) Rays X-rays and g- rays are identical except for their origin Both are forms of penetrating light Penetrating ability dependent upon energy Best shielding: sufficiently thick lead 6

7 Important Points to Remember Radiation producing machines produce radiation only when they are turned on Radioactive sources emit radiation continuously To reduce radiation exposure to yourself and others, use: Time Distance Appropriate Shielding 7

8 Reduce your TIME spent near radiation sources. Increase DISTANCE between you and the radiation source. Use appropriate SHIELDING when available and when practical. 8

9 Annual Normal Background ~ 300 mrem (2 msv) 6,000 miles by jet ~ 4 mrem (0.04 msv) Chest X-ray ~ 50 mrem (0.5 msv) CT Chest Exam ~ 800 mrem (8 msv) Lower GI Exam ~ 800 mrem (8 msv) 201 Tl Cardiac Study ~ 1800 mrem (18 msv) Typical Average Monthly Doses: Radiological Technologist ~ 25 mrem/month Nuclear Medicine Technologist ~ 25 mrem/month Brachytherapy Technologist ~ minimal (<10 rem/month) Radiation Therapy Nurse ~ minimal (<10 mrem/month) Radiation Safety Personnel ~ 20 mrem/month Maximum Dose received by medical personnel treating radiation accident victims (excluding Chernobyl) ~ <75 mrem 9

10 The Internationally Recognized Radiation Symbol Acceptable Colors: Magenta Tri-blade on Yellow Background 10

11 Found on entrances to work areas Indicates the potential presence of radiation sources and/or contamination Ingestion of food or drink is strictly prohibited in these areas No smoking or application of cosmetics is allowed in these areas CAUTION RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL 11

12 Indicates the presence of higher radiation levels CAUTION Dose Rate > 5 mr / hr up to 100 mr / hr More likely to be found in radiation therapy, radiology, or nuclear medicine departments RADIATION AREA 12

13 CAUTION CAUTION GRAVE DANGER RADIATION AREA HIGH RADIATION AREA VERY HIGH RADIATION AREA CAUTION Each of the signs designates entrance into a Restricted Area RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL 13

14 Areas are rooms, labs, waste storage areas, etc. Access is restricted to individuals who work in those areas. 14

15 Hoods Used to Store Radioactive Materials 15

16 Waste Storage Containers 16

17 Nuclear Medicine Departments 17

18 Radiation Therapy Departments 18

19 Radiology Department (indicates the presence of radiation producing machines) 19

20 High Radiation Storage Areas Brachytherapy Sources Indicates the presence of high level radiation sources 20

21 Department of Transportation (DOT) shipping labels. RADIOACTIVE CONTENTS... ACTIVITY... TRANSPORT INDEX 7 RADIOACTIVE CONTENTS... ACTIVITY... TRANSPORT INDEX RADIOACTIVE CONTENTS... ACTIVITY... TRANSPORT INDEX 7 7 Found on shipping boxes containing radioactive materials Exposure rate ranges according to DOT class 21

22 WARNING Radiation Therapy in Progress This patient is receiving radiation therapy. For the safety of all individuals, the Radiation Safety Division has prescribed the following time guides: Visitors: Nurses: 30 minutes/day 40 minutes/shift No visitors under 18 years of age. No pregnant or possibly pregnant visitors. The visitor s chair must not be moved. Radiation Therapy Patient Rooms Indicates the presence of high level radiation sources 22

23 Signs Regarding Patients and Patient Rooms Indicates an on-going therapy Indicates the presence of possible contamination and/or radiation exposure 23

24 Indicates to nurses and housekeeping staff that items within the room must be properly surveyed before removal to avoid contamination or lost sources 24

25 The Geiger Counter (GM) 25

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33 HOT LAB Area in which radioactive materials are stored and used. This room should be kept locked at all times, and have limited access. Vendors should be escorted to and from when delivering radioactive materials, especially during off hours 33

34 Spills Patients involved in radiation accidents Radiological Terrorism Homeland Security Initiatives 34

35 Petrone Associates (phone) 35