TY - JOUR
T1 - The new lens dose limit
T2 - implication for occupational radiation protection
AU - Cornacchia, Samantha
AU - Errico, Rosangela
AU - La Tegola, Luciana
AU - Maldera, Arcangela
AU - Simeone, Giovanni
AU - Fusco, Vincenzo
AU - Niccoli-Asabella, Artor
AU - Rubini, Giuseppe
AU - Guglielmi, Giuseppe
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - Aim and objectives: The aim of this article was to explore the implications of the new Euratom dose limit for occupational radiation protection in the context of medical occupational radiation exposures. The European Directive 2013/59/Euratom takes into account the new recommendations on reduction in the dose limit for the lens of the eye for planned occupational exposures released in 2012 by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP 118). Materials and methods: Different dose-monitoring procedures and devices were considered. Occupational eye lens doses reported by previous studies were analyzed, mainly considering workers involved in interventional procedures with X-rays. The current status of eye lens radiation protection and the main methods for dose reduction were investigated. Results: The analysis showed that the workers, potentially exceeding the new limit, are clinical staff performing interventional procedures with a relatively high X-ray dose. Regarding radiological protection issues, the considered literature reports that the proper use of personal protective equipment may reduce the eye lens absorbed dose. Conclusion: The evaluation of the occupational eye lens dose is essential to establish which method of personal dose monitoring should be preferred. Furthermore, education and training about the right use of personal protective equipment are important for medical staff working with ionizing radiation.
AB - Aim and objectives: The aim of this article was to explore the implications of the new Euratom dose limit for occupational radiation protection in the context of medical occupational radiation exposures. The European Directive 2013/59/Euratom takes into account the new recommendations on reduction in the dose limit for the lens of the eye for planned occupational exposures released in 2012 by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP 118). Materials and methods: Different dose-monitoring procedures and devices were considered. Occupational eye lens doses reported by previous studies were analyzed, mainly considering workers involved in interventional procedures with X-rays. The current status of eye lens radiation protection and the main methods for dose reduction were investigated. Results: The analysis showed that the workers, potentially exceeding the new limit, are clinical staff performing interventional procedures with a relatively high X-ray dose. Regarding radiological protection issues, the considered literature reports that the proper use of personal protective equipment may reduce the eye lens absorbed dose. Conclusion: The evaluation of the occupational eye lens dose is essential to establish which method of personal dose monitoring should be preferred. Furthermore, education and training about the right use of personal protective equipment are important for medical staff working with ionizing radiation.
KW - Dose limit
KW - Dose reduction
KW - European Directive 2013/59
KW - Eye lens dose
KW - Occupational dose
KW - Radiation protection
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U2 - 10.1007/s11547-019-01027-7
DO - 10.1007/s11547-019-01027-7
M3 - Article
C2 - 30919221
AN - SCOPUS:85072017616
JO - Radiologia Medica
JF - Radiologia Medica
SN - 0033-8362
ER -