Radiation Shielding and Protection, Part II

Abstract

The medical radiation safety program is a subset of the overall radiation protection. Major source of radiation in the medical facilities are from radioactive decay of various radionuclides, from X-ray-generating machines, and from particle accelerators for radiation therapy. And patients have been administered radioactive material for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Those sources of radiation could be sealed source (e.g., Co-57 flood for gamma camera QC), unsealed sources (e.g., radiopharmaceuticals in nuclear medicine), X-rays produced from CT or fluoroscopy units, and particle beams for therapy in radiation oncology. Another source of radiation is from patients who have taken radiopharmaceuticals by injection or other methods of administration in nuclear medicine or implanted with sealed sources in radiation oncology (radioactive I-125, Pd-103 implants). The goal of the radiation safety program in medical facility is to manage staff exposure as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA), to minimize patient exposure, to protect general public, and to prevent radioactive waste from contaminating environment.