Objective To investigate and analyze the occupational stress levels and influencing factors among radiation workers in China, and provide a reference for alleviating occupational stress and promoting mental health. Methods Using the general situation questionnaire, Effort-Reward Imbalance questionnaire, and radiation protection knowledge questionnaire, a convenience sampling method was adopted to investigate the occupational stress of 243 radiation workers in Liaoning, Fujian, Guangdong, and Xinjiang provinces. The independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, chi-square test, and binary logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors. Results The average score of Effort-Reward Imbalance was 0.97 ± 0.22, and 100 (41.15%) radiation workers had occupational stress. There were significant differences in the detection rate of occupational stress among radiation workers of different ages, working years in radiation positions, monthly incomes, daily sleep durations, and daily working hours (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis identified daily working hours as a factor contributing to occupational stress. Conclusion The occupational stress among radiation workers in China is relatively severe. It is recommended to pay attention to the associated risks and implement targeted intervention measures to reduce the impact of occupational stress.

Objective To compare the results of accumulation and continuation methods in indoor radon measurement. Methods The radon concentrations in 30 households in 7 provincial capital cities of China were simultaneously measured using both accumulation and continuation methods. Results The radon concentration measured by accumulation method in 30 households ranged from 21 to 323 Bq/m³, with a median M(P₂₅, P₇₅) of 70.5 (43.8, 111). The radon concentration measured by the continuation method ranged from 16.1 to 258 Bq/m³, with a median M(P₂₅, P₇₅) of 100 (51.3, 141). The average relative percent deviation between the two measurement methods was 41.8%. There were significant differences among the measurement results at 8, 16, and 24 h by the continuation method. Pairwise comparisons showed there were statistical diffferences between 8 h and 16 h, as well as between 8 h and 24h; however, no statistical significance was found (P < 0.05), between 16 h and 24 h. Conclusion The overall continuous measurement results of the 30 households were higher than those of cumulation method. The comparison between accumulation and continuation measurement results did not show a high level of correlation (r=0.49). The continuation method is significantly affected by environmental factors, and the length of the measurement period can affect the measurement results. The selection of indoor radon measurement methods should consider the purpose, sample size, and environmental conditions.

Objective To analyze the impact of different maze structures of medical electron linear accelerator on the radiation level at the entrance of the treatment room. Methods The Monte Carlo simulation method was used to compare the radiation field distribution in two accelerator rooms with different maze widths and to conduct a detailed analysis of the radiation levels. Results The radiation level at the entrance of the accelerator room with a wide maze was significantly higher than that at the entrance of a compact maze. The neutron radiation level at the entrance of the narrow maze model decreased by 38.6% compared to the wide maze model, and the level of X-ray radiation also showed a declining trend. Conclusion When designing medical electron linear accelerators, a compact maze structure should be adopted to reduce the setting of unnecessary space, thereby lowering the radiation level at the entrance of the treatment room and enhancing the effectiveness of radiation protection.

Objective To investigate the current situation of occupational stress among radiation workers in nuclear power plants in China, to explore the factors influencing occupational stress, and to provide a reference for improving occupational stress. Methods A convenient sampling method was adopted to investigate the occupational stress of 100 radiation workers in two nuclear power plants in Fujian and Liaoning, using the general situation questionnaire, effort-reward imbalance questionnaire, and the radiation protection knowledge questionnaire. Independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, chi-square test, and binary logistic regression analysis were used to examine the current situation of occupational stress and the influencing factors. Results The average value of effort-reward imbalance was 0.99 ± 0.15 and 47 (47%) radiation workers had occupational stress. There were significant differences in the detection rate of occupational stress among radiation workers with different ages, years of radiation work, monthly incomes, sleep durations (day), and exercise habits (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that monthly income, sleep duration (day), and exercise habits were the influencing factors for occupational stress. Conclusion The occupational stress of radiation workers in nuclear power plants is a serious issue influenced by many factors. Attention should be given to this issue, and targeted interventions should be implemented to improve the social and working environment of this occupational group and reduce the level of occupational stress.

Since the implementation of the Measures for the Management of Radiation Workers’ Occupational Health in November 2007, it has played an extremely important role in protecting the occupational health of radiation workers. There are more than 700 000 radiation workers in about 100 000 workplaces with potential radiation exposure, as well as a large number of miners exposed to high levels of radon. As the radiation health monitoring project suggests, measures of occupational health management such as personal dose monitoring and occupational health examination of radiation workers have been widely implemented and achieved good results in the protection of radiation workers. However, the risks of chromosomal aberration and specific turbidity of the eye lens of radiation workers have increased in high-risk positions such as interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, and industrial flaw detection. The control of high radon exposure in miners needs to be strengthened. It is necessary to adapt to the new situation in view of new challenges and actively promote the revision of the Measures for the Management of Radiation Workers’ Occupational Health, so as to further improve the occupational health management of radiation workers in China.

In recent years, occupational stress has become a focus of public attention in public health in China and abroad. Radiation workers are exposed to ionizing radiation in their daily work, which further exacerbates their levels of occupational stress. This not only affects their physical and mental health, but also increases the potential for radiation incidents or accidents. Based on the literature on occupational stress among radiation workers in China throughout the years, this article provides a summary, conclusion, and systematical analysis of the research status of occupational stress among radiation workers, with a detailed sorting of the data. It explores key research issues and directions and provides reference for future work.

Objective To investigate the indoor radon concentration and its changing trend in northeastern China. Methods We measured indoor radon levels cumulatively for over three months by solid state nuclear track detection in a total of 261 houses in multi-story or high-rise buildings in Shenyang, Changchun, Harbin, Heihe, and Yichun in northeastern China. The measurement lasted one year in Changchun for seasonal changes. Results The average indoor radon concentration in the five cities was 88 Bq/m³, ranging from 12 to 558 Bq/m³. The indoor radon concentrations were ≤ 100 Bq/m³ in 75.1% of the houses, and ≤ 300 Bq/m³ in 97.7% of the houses. The indoor radon concentration increased with the age of buildings. The indoor radon concentration was highest in winter, and it was higher in summer than in autumn and spring. Conclusion The indoor radon concentration in northeastern China increased compared with the data of 1980s and 1990s. It is highest in the winter heating season, and higher in summer than in spring and autumn. Indoor radon exposure deserves attention.

Objective:To conduct radiation detection and dose assessment in selective internal radiotherapy with 90Y resin microspheres for the purpose of providing a reference for radiological protection. Methods:The dose rates from radiotherapy with 90Y resin microspheres were detected in the process of each operation at different distances from the body surface of patients the levels of dose to the persons concerned were compared with the relevant national regulations and standards. Results:The estimated dose rates were 1.12-454 μSv/h during 90Y resin microspheres dispensing and 2.06-58.2 μSv/h during surgical procedure. The dose rates at 0.5 h after surgery were 22.7-64.1 μSv/h at 5 cm and 0.82-2.55 μSv/h at 1 m from three patient′s body surface. Assuming treating 200 patients a year, the annual individual effective dose to the radiation workers was 0.12-1.03 mSv/year. The annual individual effective dose to the public, comforters and carers of patients was 0.02-0.24 mSv/year after release of a patient. Conclusions:During the treatment, nursing and release of patients, the radiation doses to workers, carers and the public are lower than the individual dose limit given in the GB18871-2002 basic standards for protection against ionizing radiation and for the safety of radiation sources and the management target value set by of the relevant medical institutions.

Objective:To evaluate 90Y activity concentration in renal excretions during the first 48 hours after being treated with 90Y resin microspheres seleceive internal radiation therapy(SIRI) and to provide advice on the management of patient excreta after surgery. Methods:After surgery, urine excreted from 3 patients during 0-24 h and 24-48 h was collected respectively, and the 90Y activity concentration in urine was tested and analyzed. Results:90Y radioctivity in the urine excreted from 3 patients after surgery was (1 266±258)kBq/GBq during 0-24 h and (140±106) kBq/GBq during 24-48 h, respectively, and 90Y activity concentration were (640±113) kBq/L during 0-24 h and (53±12) kBq/L during 24-48 h. Conclusions:90Y radioactivity in patient′s urine excreted at 1 d was about 10 times higher than that at 2 d. After surgery, patients can accelerate the reduction of free 90Y activity by increasing excretion. Urine excreted by the patients during hospitalization should be handled in accordance with the requirements of the national standard HJ 1188-2021 Radiation protection and safety requirements for nuclear medicine.

Objective:To analyzes the current status of radiation protection in non-medical sectors, together with the vulnerable spots in the prevention and control of occupational radiation sickness in China in order to provides both technical basis for occupational health management in non-medical radiation sectors and the better protection of occupational health benefits for radiation workers.Methods:The monitoring plan for this survey was worked out on the part of the National Institute for Radiological Protection, China CDC. Survey and monitoring of the current status of radiation protection and occupational health management were, under the monitoring the plan, completed by the relevant agencies of all provincial-level regions for the key industries of non-medical sectors countrywide, involving occupational health monitoring, personal dose monitoring, radiation protection monitoring instruments equipped, and radiation protection monitoring in workplace. Based on the survey result , the deficiencies in radiation protection and occupational health monitoring in non-medical sectors were analyzed.Results:The survey of non-medical sectors was divided into general investigation and detailed monitoring, with the general investigations covering 9 075 non-medical institutions in 31 provincial-level regions across the country. Of them, a total of 4 911 institutions within 329 district-level regions received detailed investigation and radiation protection monitoring. As survey result , the X, γ ambient dose equivalent rates for the institutions using ray-generator are greater than 2.5 μSv/h, about 2.35% of the total, with a maximum of 817 μSv/h. The values for those using radioactive sources were greater than 2.5 μSv/h, about 9.57%, with a maximum of 1 700 μSv/h. The frequencies of personal dose monitoring and occupational health examination were 72.9% and 82.1%, respectively.Conclusions:There is still a gap in radiation protection between the current status and the national regulations and standards in non-medical sectors, so both regulation and management of radiation protection should be further strengthened.