Radiation Protection

Radiation protection deals with the somatic and genetic effects radiation will have on a occupationally exposed person.

OEP – occupationally exposed people

MPD – maximum permissible doses :

• Established by the ICRP (NCRP) – International Committee on Radiation Protection
• ICRP sets standards in the use of radiation

(old system)

MPD – is that dose, which, in the light of present knowledge, is not expected to cause detectable bodily injury to a person at anytime during his lifetime.

Lifetime exposure = n(age) – 18 x 5

Usually was 5 rem per year or 3 rem in 1 shot and you couldn’t work for the rest of the year

(new system)

you cannot exceed your age in rem

we have moved away from MPD, now we use ALARA

ALARA – As Low As Reasonably Achievable

• It is now the employers responsibility to make sure their employees receive as little exposure as possible

The main protection we as Radiation Therapists have between us and the radiation is the concrete wall (barrier).

Barriers – have to shield for the highest energy the machine produces

Primary barriers – are placed on any surfaces the beam can point (4 walls)

1. energy
2. occupancy of adjacent space
3. work (how many patients per week / work)
4. use (what percentage of the time is the beam pointed at each surface)