This document provides an overview of basic radiation safety. It discusses the effects of radiation, including stochastic effects like cancer and genetic effects, as well as deterministic effects that have a threshold dose. It outlines principles for protecting radiation workers, patients, and the public, including minimizing time, distance and shielding exposure. Specific protections like lead aprons, signs, and dosimeters are also reviewed. Proper handling and storage of protective equipment is emphasized.

1. BASIC RADIATION SAFETY
AWARENESS
S.GOKULAPRIYA,
RADIATION SAFETY OFFICER,
KING GEORGE HOSPITAL,
VISAKHAPATNAM, ANDHRA
PRADESH

2. OBJECTIVE
 To understand:
 What is radiation
 Effects of radiation
 Safe practices with radiation for worker, public and
patients
 Reporting mechanism incase of over exposure

3. WHY SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED ABOUT
RADIATION EXPOSURE ?
 Can it hurt ?

4. Off Course Radiation Can Hurt

5. EFFECTS OF RADIATION
 Stochastic Effect
 Stochastic effect occur by a chance and which may occur
without a threshold dose
 As the dose to an individual increases the probability of
cancer or genetic effect will occur also increases

6. EFFECTS OF RADIATION
 Deterministic Effect
 Determininstic effect describe a cause and effect relationship
between radiation and certain side effects
 Determisnistic effect have a threshold dose and below which
the effects does not occur

7. EFFECTS OF RADIATION
 It can burn ones skin
 It damages body cells and DNA causing mutations
and cancer
 It affects embryo and fetus

8. WHY RADIATION PROTECTION
 To reduce the probability of stochastic risk at an
acceptable level
 To prevent deterministic effects

9.  How to Protect Patients, Public And Staffs From
Radiation?

10. Protection Of Radiation Workers

11. ALARA PRINCIPLES

12. ALARA
 Alara is a philosophy, necessary to maintain personnel
exposure or the release of radioactivity to the environment
well below applicable limits by means of a good radiation
protection plan, through education, administrative
controls and safe lab practices.

13. TIME
 Less time = less radiation exposure
 Radiation workers should pre plan the procedure to
minimize the exposure
 Radiation workers should do dry runs (without
radioactive material) to practice

14. DISTANCE
 Effective and easy to follow
 More distance = less radiation exposure

15. SHIELDING
 Materials “absorb” radiation
 Proper shielding = less radiation exposure

16. TO SUM UP
 Exposure to X ray radiation is reduced if:
 Time exposed to source is less
 Distance from the source is more
 Shielding from the source is more

17. PREGNANCY AND THE RADIATION
 The embryo is sensitive to lethal effects of x rays and
doses much higher than 50mSv can lead to miscarriage
 An exposure of 1mSv is safe for fetus

18. RADIATION EFFECTS ON EMBRYO AND
FETUS
 Effects on infants due to exposure of the embryo or fetus
to radiation (500 mSv)
 Severe mental retardation and congenital
malformation (deterministic effect)
 Likelihood of leukemia (stochastic effect)

19. SHIELDING THROUGH PROTECTIVE DEVICES
 Examples of protective devices
 Lead apron
 Lead flaps
 Gloves
 Masks
 Eye protector
 Mobile lead barrier
 thyroid collar

20. LEAD APRON USAGE
 Lead aprons are shielding apparel recommended for use by
radiation workers.
 These are classified as secondary barriers to effects the of
ionizing radiation

21. CORRECT WAY TO STORE APRONS
 When not in use
 All protective apparels should be hung properly designed
racks
 Protective apparel should also be radiographed for
defects such as internal cracks and tears at least once a
year

22. TLD BADGES FOR RADIATION WORKERS

23. TLD BADGE – PERSONNEL MONITORING
DEVICE
 It is the responsibility of individuals to follow safe
practice measures
 If you are a radiation worker and have not applied for
TLD badge then please contact your HOD/RSO to fill the
TLD application form

24. TLD BADGE
 Tld should be worn at chest level or waist level
 If a protective apron is worn the badge should be worn
under the apron
 Do not store badges in a place in radiation area
 Tld badge is changed every 3 months

25. RADIATION AREAS AT KGH
 Radiotherapy
 Radiology
 Nuclear medicine
 Cath lab
 Ot
 Dental
 Mamography
 Orthopaedics
 Gastro Entrology

26. SIGNAGE
 When you see this sign or the trifoil symbol at the
center of this sign, it is your notification that a radiation
hazard is present.
 All containers with regulated radioactive material will be
labelled

27. RADIATION AREA - SIGNAGE
 Indicates the presence of a x ray machines
 Indicated the source is radioactive material

28.  Reporting Mechanism In Case Of Over Exposure

29. EMERGENCY RESPONSE
 Unsafe radiological conditions should be promptly
reported to the RSO.
 Report emergencies such as personnel contamination,
radioactive spills, lost or stolen radioactive material
(including waste) or other potentially hazardous
conditions
 Loss or accidental exposure to the TLD badges should be
immediately reported to the RSO
 An accident involving medical emergencies, shall take
priority over the concern for radioactivity

30. ICRP RECOMMENDATIONS : INDIVIDUAL
DOSE LIMITS

31. Radiation Protection For Patients

32. MAXIMIZE THE TUBE DISTANCE AND
MINIMIZE DISTANCE FROM THE PATIENT

33. Radiation Protection For Public

34. RADIOTHERAPY AND THE PUBLIC
 Public:
 People living around a radiotherapy facility
 Visitors to the department
 Relatives, friends and other persons who may be in
contact with patients
 Not necessarily: Partners and non-occupational
persons who are involved in care or comforting the
patient - this is “Medical Exposure”

35. …PUBLIC COULD ALSO BE:
 Staff from other departments/divisions
 Contractors
 electricians
 painters
 plumbers

36. CONTROLLED AREA
 A controlled area is an area where procedural controls
are required in order to restrict radiation exposures.
Restriction of Access

37. MEANS TO PREVENT PUBLIC EXPOSURE
 Access restriction
 Shielding
 Warning signs
 Lights
 Interlocks (e.g. door)
 Written information

38. TAKE HOME MESSAGE
 MRI area is not a radiation hazard
 However, all staff members are requested to ensure the
metallic objects are left outside the MRI room

39. TAKE HOME MESSAGE
 Be aware of radiation application/radiation warning
symbol
 Follow the basic principles of radiation safety
 Intimate your Supervision/HOD/RSO if you are
pregnant and working in the radiation zone
 Use TLD properly
 Any radiation emergency contact RSO