OBJECTIVE: Radiation is used extensively in emergency centers. Computed tomography and X-ray imaging are used frequently. Portable X-rays, in particular, cause a significant amount of indirect radiation exposure to medical personnel. The authors' emergency center was remodeled, and a comparative study of radiation exposure was carried out in certain places that had experienced radiation for a long time. METHODS: The cumulative radiation dose was measured 20 times in the 24 hours prior to remodeling, and the cumulative radiation dose was measured again 20 times across the 24-hour period. The measurement points were fixed at the emergency doctor's seat (Zone A), charge nurse's seat (Zone B), and section nurse's seat (Zone C). During the 24-hour cumulative radiation measurement period, the number of portable X-ray shots was recorded in the emergency center. RESULTS: The mean of the 24-hour cumulative radiation measurements in zone A was 3.36±0.07 µSV and 4.54±0.07 µSV before and after remodeling, respectively (P<0.001). Regarding the number of portable X-rays performed during the measurement, a higher number of trials in the Pearson correction correlated with a higher radiation measurement. CONCLUSION: In an emergency medical center, there is a higher level of low-dose radiation exposure compared to that experienced from natural radioactivity. Regarding the number of portable X-rays, the cumulative radiation dose measured 24 hours after remodeling increased and can be assumed to be related to the environment.
Emergencies ; Radiation Exposure ; Radioactivity

Humans ; Radiation Exposure ; Phantoms, Imaging

Ionizing radiation is a well-known carcinogen, and is listed as one carcinogenic agent of occupational cancer. Given the increase in the number of workers exposed to radiation, as well as the increase in concern regarding occupational cancer, the number of radiation-related occupational cancer claims is expected to increase. Unlike exposure assessment of other carcinogenic agents in the workplace, such as asbestos and benzene, radiation exposure is usually assessed on an individual basis with personal dosimeters, which makes it feasible to assess whether a worker's cancer occurrence is associated with their individual exposure. However, given the absence of a threshold dose for cancer initiation, it remains difficult to identify radiation exposure as the root cause of occupational cancer. Moreover, the association between cancer and radiation exposure in the workplace has not been clearly established due to a lack of scientific evidence. Therefore, criteria for the recognition of radiation-related occupational cancer should be carefully reviewed and updated with new scientific evidence and social consensus. The current criteria in Korea are valid in terms of eligible radiogenic cancer sites, adequate latent period, assessment of radiation exposure, and probability of causation. However, reducing uncertainty with respect to the determination of causation between exposure and cancer and developing more specific criteria that considers mixed exposure to radiation and other carcinogenic agents remains an important open question.
Asbestos ; Benzene ; Consensus ; Humans ; Korea ; Radiation Exposure ; Radiation, Ionizing ; Uncertainty

Objective To design a novel automatic dispensing and injecting system of positron radiopharmaceuticals,for precise dose dispensing,simplified operation,and reduction of occupational radiation exposure. Methods The automatic dispensing and injecting system was fabricated with tungsten alloy as the shielding material.The performance and radiation protection of the device were assessed. Results The total time of injection using the automatic dispensing and injecting system was about 60 s.The ratio of successful injection in stability test was 100%.The deviation of the dispensing dose with the system was ≤3%.With the tungsten alloy shield(40 mmPb of the cabinet,60 mmPb of the countertop,15 mmPb of the protective shield,and 50 mmPb of the inbuilt jar for radiopharmaceuticals),the average dose rate at 30 cm from the device was 1.44 μSv/h,and the radiation dose at the operator's extremity was reduced by 99%. Conclusions This automatic dispensing and injecting system of positron radiopharmaceuticals is easy to operate with precise dispensing dose.It is safe and meets the requirements of radiation protection.
Electrons ; Occupational Exposure/analysis* ; Radiation Dosage ; Radiation Protection ; Radiopharmaceuticals

The interventional procedure is a percutaneous treatment modality using various devices such as a guide-wire and a catheter under a minimal incision. It is usually done under a fluoroscopy (X-ray radiography) guidance, therefore the operator would be exposed to X-ray irradiation. Recently, a new procedure using a master-slave robotic system is proposed for the intervention procedure, especially in the era of vascular disease. Many state of art intervention robots are under development and this approach can drastically reduce radiation exposure by replacing human effort by a robotic system for high radiation exposure procedures. However, robotic intervention is still more expensive and needs more efficient end effector and easier human interface for a safer and faster procedure. This article provides a comprehensive summary of vascular intervention and necessity of the vascular intervention robot system.
Catheters* ; Fluoroscopy ; Humans ; Radiation Exposure ; Vascular Diseases

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the radiation exposure for epidemiologic investigation in residents exposed to radiation from roads that were accidentally found to be contaminated with radioactive cesium-137 (137Cs) in Seoul. METHODS: Using information regarding the frequency and duration of passing via the 137Cs contaminated roads or residing/working near the roads from the questionnaires that were obtained from 8875 residents and the measured radiation doses reported by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, we calculated the total cumulative dose of radiation exposure for each person. RESULTS: Sixty-three percent of the residents who responded to the questionnaire were considered as ever-exposed and 1% of them had a total cumulative dose of more than 10 mSv. The mean (minimum, maximum) duration of radiation exposure was 4.75 years (0.08, 11.98) and the geometric mean (minimum, maximum) of the total cumulative dose was 0.049 mSv (<0.001, 35.35) in the exposed. CONCLUSIONS: An individual exposure assessment was performed for an epidemiological study to estimate the health risk among residents living in the vicinity of 137Cs contaminated roads. The average exposure dose in the exposed people was less than 5% of the current guideline.
Epidemiologic Studies* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Radiation Exposure* ; Seoul*

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the radiation exposure for epidemiologic investigation in residents exposed to radiation from roads that were accidentally found to be contaminated with radioactive cesium-137 (137Cs) in Seoul. METHODS: Using information regarding the frequency and duration of passing via the 137Cs contaminated roads or residing/working near the roads from the questionnaires that were obtained from 8875 residents and the measured radiation doses reported by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, we calculated the total cumulative dose of radiation exposure for each person. RESULTS: Sixty-three percent of the residents who responded to the questionnaire were considered as ever-exposed and 1% of them had a total cumulative dose of more than 10 mSv. The mean (minimum, maximum) duration of radiation exposure was 4.75 years (0.08, 11.98) and the geometric mean (minimum, maximum) of the total cumulative dose was 0.049 mSv (<0.001, 35.35) in the exposed. CONCLUSIONS: An individual exposure assessment was performed for an epidemiological study to estimate the health risk among residents living in the vicinity of 137Cs contaminated roads. The average exposure dose in the exposed people was less than 5% of the current guideline.
Epidemiologic Studies* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Radiation Exposure* ; Seoul*

C-arm fluoroscopy is useful equipment in interventional pain management because it helps to guide correct needle targeting for the accurate injection and drug delivery. However, due to increased use of C-arm fluoroscopy in various pain procedures, the risk of radiation exposure is a significant concern for pain physicians. The harmful biological effects of ionizing radiation on the human body are well known. It is therefore necessary to strive to reduce radiation exposure. Lead aprons with thyroid shields are the most fundamental radiation protective devices for interventional procedures, and are very effective. However, the operator's radiation safety cannot be guaranteed because pain physicians seem to lack sufficient interest, knowledge, and awareness about radiation safety. Also, inappropriate care and use of radiation protective devices may result in a higher risk of radiation exposure. The purpose of this article was to review the literature on radiation safety with a focus on lead aprons and thyroid shields and present recommendations related to those devices during C-arm fluoroscopic-guided interventions by pain physicians.
Fluoroscopy ; Human Body ; Needles ; Pain Management ; Protective Devices ; Radiation Exposure ; Radiation Protection ; Radiation, Ionizing ; Thyroid Gland

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate radiation exposure resulting from the comprehensive health examinations of selected university hospital programs and to present basic data for research and management strategies on the health effects of medical radiation exposure. METHODS: Radiation-based diagnostic studies of the comprehensive health examination programs of ten university hospitals in Seoul, Korea, as introduced in their websites, were analyzed. The medical radiation studies of the programs were reviewed by radiologists. Only the effective doses of the basic studies were included in the analysis. The optional studies of the programs were excluded. RESULTS: Among the 190 comprehensive health examination programs, 132 programs (69.5%) included computed tomography studies, with an average of 1.4 scans. The average effective dose of radiation by program was 3.62 mSv for an intensive program for specific diseases; 11.12 mSv for an intensive program for cancer; 18.14 mSv for a premium program; and 24.08 mSv for an overnight program. A higher cost of a programs was linked to a higher effective dose (r=0.812). The effective doses of the examination programs for the same purposes differed by as much as 2.1 times by hospital. Inclusion of positron emission tomography–computed tomography was the most critical factor in determining the level of effective dose. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that radiation exposure dose from comprehensive health exam programs targeted for an asymptomatic, healthy public reached between 3.6 and 24 times the annual dose limit for the general public. Relevant management policies at the national level should be provided to minimize medical radiation exposure.
Electrons ; Hospitals, University ; Korea* ; Mass Screening* ; Radiation Exposure ; Seoul

Electromagnetic Fields ; Environmental Exposure ; Humans ; Radiation Dosage ; Threshold Limit Values