title: Nuclear Reactor Accident Fallout Artifacts: Unusual Black Spots on Digital Radiographs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Fukushima nuclear power plant accident resulted in the discharge of radioactive particulate material into the atmosphere. Consequently, several hospitals in Japan have observed black spots on x-ray computed radiography (CR) images caused by particulate radioactive fallout.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These black spots have no effect on human health. To reduce the influence of black spots on CR images, we need to erase latent images on imaging plates (IPs) immediately before clinical use and read the IPs soon after the x-ray examination. Alternatively, the contaminated felt of a cassette can be cleaned or exchanged, if possible.
authors: 1 Department of Radiological Technology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo, Aoba, Sendai 980-8575, Japan.|2 Iwaki Kyoritsu General Hospital, Iwaki, Fukushima, Japan.
authors: Yasuhiro
authors: Y
authors: Kashimura
authors: 1 Department of Radiological Technology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo, Aoba, Sendai 980-8575, Japan.|3 Division of Disaster Medical Science, International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University, Aoba, Sendai, Japan.
authors: Koichi
authors: K
authors: Chida
mesh_terms: D016477:Artifacts; D062406:Fukushima Nuclear Accident; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D011847:Radioactive Fallout; D018788:Radioactive Hazard Release; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D014962:X-Ray Film
chemical_list: D011847:Radioactive Fallout
keywords: Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident; Great East Japan Earthquake; black spot; cesium; computed radiography; conventional digital x-ray examination; radioactive material