Mapping very low level occupational exposure in medical imaging: a useful tool in risk communication and decision making.
OBJECTIVE
The use of ionising radiation in medical imaging is accompanied with occupational exposure which should be limited by optimised room design and safety instructions. These measures can however not prevent that workers are exposed to instantaneous dose rates, e.g. the residual exposure through shielding or the exposure of discharged nuclear medicine patients. The latter elements are often questioned by workers and detailed assessment should give more information about the impact on the individual radiation dose.


METHODS
Cumulated radiation exposure was measured in a university hospital during a period of 6 months by means of thermoluminescent dosimeters. Radiation exposure was measured at background locations and at locations where enhanced exposure levels are expected but where the impact on the individual exposure is unclear.


RESULTS
The results show a normal distribution of the cumulated background radiation level. No enhanced cumulated radiation exposure which significantly differs from this background level could be found during the operation of intra-oral apparatus, during ultrasonography procedures among nuclear medicine patients and at operator consoles of most CT-rooms.


CONCLUSIONS
This 6 months survey offers useful information about occupational low level exposure in medical imaging and the findings can be useful in both risk communication and decision making.
Health Physics Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel and UZ Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium. pcovens@vub.ac.be
P
P
Covens
D
D
Berus
J
J
de Mey
N
N
Buls
D003142:Communication; D003657:Decision Making; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D006801:Humans; D008503:Medical Staff; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012308:Risk Management; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013819:Thermoluminescent Dosimetry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*