Document Detail


The importance and unique aspects of radiation protection in medicine.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20638808     Owner:  NLM     Status:  In-Process    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Radiation protection in medicine has unique aspects and is an essential element of medical practice. Medical uses of radiation occur throughout the world, from large cities to rural clinics. It has been estimated that the number of medical procedures using radiation grew from about 1.7 billion in 1980 to almost 4 billion in 2007. In spite of these large numbers, there are many parts of the world without adequate equipment, where the ability to perform additional medical procedures would likely result in a net benefit. Medicine accounts for more than 99.9% of the per caput effective dose from man-made sources. The goal in medical exposure is not to give the lowest dose, but to provide the correct dose to enable the practitioner to make the diagnosis or cure a tumour. Too little or too much dose is problematic and the risk of any given procedure ranges from negligible to potentially fatal. Radiation protection in medicine must deal with the issues of not having dose limits, purposely exposing sensitive subgroups, and purposely using doses that could cause deterministic effects. Radiation accidents involving medical uses have accounted for more acute radiation deaths than from any other source including Chernobyl. Many physicians have little or no training in radiation protection, and many have no qualified medical physics support. In many countries, medical radiation devices and uses are only minimally regulated and the rapidly evolving technology is a challenge. Medicine also accounts for the largest number of occupationally exposed workers and collective dose.
Authors:
Ola Holmberg; Renate Czarwinski; Fred Mettler
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2010-07-17
Journal Detail:
Title:  European journal of radiology     Volume:  76     ISSN:  1872-7727     ISO Abbreviation:  Eur J Radiol     Publication Date:  2010 Oct 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-10-04     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8106411     Medline TA:  Eur J Radiol     Country:  Ireland    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  6-10     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Affiliation:
Radiation Safety & Monitoring Section, Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria. O.Holmberg@iaea.org
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