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Little MP, Bazyka D, de Gonzalez AB, Brenner AV, Chumak VV, Cullings HM, Daniels RD, French B, Grant E, Hamada N, Hauptmann M, Kendall GM, Laurier D, Lee C, Lee WJ, Linet MS, Mabuchi K, Morton LM, Muirhead CR, Preston DL, Rajaraman P, Richardson DB, Sakata R, Samet JM, Simon SL, Sugiyama H, Wakeford R, Zablotska LB. A Historical Survey of Key Epidemiological Studies of Ionizing Radiation Exposure. Radiat Res 2024; 202:432-487. [PMID: 39021204 PMCID: PMC11316622 DOI: 10.1667/rade-24-00021.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
In this article we review the history of key epidemiological studies of populations exposed to ionizing radiation. We highlight historical and recent findings regarding radiation-associated risks for incidence and mortality of cancer and non-cancer outcomes with emphasis on study design and methods of exposure assessment and dose estimation along with brief consideration of sources of bias for a few of the more important studies. We examine the findings from the epidemiological studies of the Japanese atomic bomb survivors, persons exposed to radiation for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes, those exposed to environmental sources including Chornobyl and other reactor accidents, and occupationally exposed cohorts. We also summarize results of pooled studies. These summaries are necessarily brief, but we provide references to more detailed information. We discuss possible future directions of study, to include assessment of susceptible populations, and possible new populations, data sources, study designs and methods of analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark P. Little
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Headington Campus, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Dimitry Bazyka
- National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, 53 Melnikov Street, Kyiv 04050, Ukraine
| | | | - Alina V. Brenner
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - Vadim V. Chumak
- National Research Center for Radiation Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, 53 Melnikov Street, Kyiv 04050, Ukraine
| | - Harry M. Cullings
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - Robert D. Daniels
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Benjamin French
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Eric Grant
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Hamada
- Biology and Environmental Chemistry Division, Sustainable System Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI), 1646 Abiko, Chiba 270-1194, Japan
| | - Michael Hauptmann
- Institute of Biostatistics and Registry Research, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Gerald M. Kendall
- Cancer Epidemiology Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LF, UK
| | - Dominique Laurier
- Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, Fontenay aux Roses France
| | - Choonsik Lee
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
| | - Won Jin Lee
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Martha S. Linet
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
| | - Kiyohiko Mabuchi
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
| | - Lindsay M. Morton
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
| | | | | | - Preetha Rajaraman
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - David B. Richardson
- Environmental and Occupational Health, 653 East Peltason, University California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-3957 USA
| | - Ritsu Sakata
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - Jonathan M. Samet
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Steven L. Simon
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-9778, USA
| | - Hiromi Sugiyama
- Radiation Effects Research Foundation, 5-2 Hijiyama Park, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 732-0815, Japan
| | - Richard Wakeford
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, The University of Manchester, Ellen Wilkinson Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Lydia B. Zablotska
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16 Street, 2 floor, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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Milder CM, Borrego D, Preston DL, Villoing D, Kwon TE, Miller DL, Alexander BH, Linet MS, Lee C, Kitahara CM. Occupational Radiation Dose Trends in U.S. Radiologic Technologists Assisting with Fluoroscopically Guided Interventional Procedures, 1980-2020. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2024; 35:1057-1065.e4. [PMID: 38599279 PMCID: PMC11194154 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvir.2024.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To summarize dose trends from 1980 to 2020 for 19,651 U.S. Radiologic Technologists who reported assisting with fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures (FGIPs), overall and by work history characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 762,310 annual personal dose equivalents at a 10-mm reference depth (doses) during 1980-2020 for 43,823 participants of the U.S. Radiologic Technologists (USRT) cohort who responded to work history questionnaires administered during 2012-2014 were summarized. This population included 19,651 technologists who reported assisting with FGIP (≥1 time per month for ≥12 consecutive months) at any time during the study period. Doses corresponding to assistance with FGIP were estimated in terms of proximity to patients, monthly procedure frequency, and procedure type. Box plots and summary statistics (eg, medians and percentiles) were used to describe annual doses and dose trends. RESULTS Median annual dose corresponding to assistance with FGIP was 0.65 mSv (interquartile range [IQR], 0.60-1.40 mSv; 95th percentile, 6.80). Higher occupational doses with wider variability were associated with close proximity to patients during assistance with FGIP (median, 1.20 mSv [IQR, 0.60-4.18 mSv]; 95th percentile, 12.66), performing ≥20 FGIPs per month (median, 0.75 mSv [IQR, 0.60-2.40 mSv]; 95th percentile, 9.44), and assisting with high-dose FGIP (median, 0.70 mSv [IQR, 0.60-1.90 mSv]; 95th percentile, 8.30). CONCLUSIONS Occupational doses corresponding to assistance with FGIP were generally low but varied with exposure frequency, procedure type, and proximity to patients. These results highlight the need for vigilant dose monitoring, radiation safety training, and proper protective equipment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cato M Milder
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland.
| | - David Borrego
- Center for Science and Technology, Radiation Protection Division, Office of Radiation and Indoor Air, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington D.C
| | | | | | - Tae-Eun Kwon
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Donald L Miller
- Center for Devices and Radiological Health, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland
| | - Bruce H Alexander
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Martha S Linet
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Choonsik Lee
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Cari M Kitahara
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland
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Marcelino L, Falk E, Johansson J, Rydén J, Uhlhorn M, Ley CJ. Radiation from the equine perineal region is low compared with the elbow and head 24 hours after bone scintigraphic examination. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2024; 65:68-75. [PMID: 38178311 DOI: 10.1111/vru.13319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The timing of follow-up radiography and ultrasound in horses that undergo skeletal scintigraphy for lameness investigation varies internationally and between equine hospitals. The prospective, one-group, pretest, posttest study aimed to estimate radiation levels from horses three and 24 h after injection of hydroxydiphosphonate labeled with metastable technetium (99mTc-HDP) and investigate which anatomical locations of the horse had higher radiation levels. Included were 46 horses referred for lameness investigation between June and December 2021. Radiation levels from the horse surface were measured using an electronic device from six anatomical locations (head, elbow, dorsum, ventrum, stifle, and perineum) at two time points and adjusted to three and 24 h after injection of 99mTc-HDP using the radioactive decay law. The radiation measured was significantly different in the various locations of the horses for both time points. At 3 h after injection of 99mTc-HDP, the ventrum had the highest radiation dose. At 24 h, the radiation emitted from the perineal region was significantly lower (P < .0001) than from the elbow and head, which had the highest values. There was a negative correlation between age and the radiation detected at 24 h postinjection (P = .02). Radiation from the perineal region was low compared with other regions of the horse 24 h postscintigraphy. Additional care should be taken around the ventrum area during the scintigraphy examination and around the elbow and head at 24 h postscintigraphy to minimize radiation to personnel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Marcelino
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Animal Hospital, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Emma Falk
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jessica Johansson
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Animal Hospital, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jesper Rydén
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Margareta Uhlhorn
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University Animal Hospital, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Charles J Ley
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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Saenko V, Mitsutake N. Radiation-Related Thyroid Cancer. Endocr Rev 2024; 45:1-29. [PMID: 37450579 PMCID: PMC10765163 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnad022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Radiation is an environmental factor that elevates the risk of developing thyroid cancer. Actual and possible scenarios of exposures to external and internal radiation are multiple and diverse. This article reviews radiation doses to the thyroid and corresponding cancer risks due to planned, existing, and emergency exposure situations, and medical, public, and occupational categories of exposures. Any exposure scenario may deliver a range of doses to the thyroid, and the risk for cancer is addressed along with modifying factors. The consequences of the Chornobyl and Fukushima nuclear power plant accidents are described, summarizing the information on thyroid cancer epidemiology, treatment, and prognosis, clinicopathological characteristics, and genetic alterations. The Chornobyl thyroid cancers have evolved in time: becoming less aggressive and driver shifting from fusions to point mutations. A comparison of thyroid cancers from the 2 areas reveals numerous differences that cumulatively suggest the low probability of the radiogenic nature of thyroid cancers in Fukushima. In view of continuing usage of different sources of radiation in various settings, the possible ways of reducing thyroid cancer risk from exposures are considered. For external exposures, reasonable measures are generally in line with the As Low As Reasonably Achievable principle, while for internal irradiation from radioactive iodine, thyroid blocking with stable iodine may be recommended in addition to other measures in case of anticipated exposures from a nuclear reactor accident. Finally, the perspectives of studies of radiation effects on the thyroid are discussed from the epidemiological, basic science, and clinical points of view.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Saenko
- Department of Radiation Molecular Epidemiology, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Norisato Mitsutake
- Department of Radiation Molecular Epidemiology, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
- Department of Radiation Medical Sciences, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
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Baudin C, Vacquier B, Thin G, Chenene L, Guersen J, Partarrieu I, Louet M, Ducou Le Pointe H, Mora S, Verdun-Esquer C, Feuardent J, Rousseau F, Roy H, Bensefa-Colas L, Boyer L, Bernier MO. Occupational exposure to ionizing radiation in medical staff: trends during the 2009-2019 period in a multicentric study. Eur Radiol 2023; 33:5675-5684. [PMID: 36930262 PMCID: PMC10326158 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-09541-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Health workers exposed to ionizing radiation account for + 50% of workers exposed to man-made radiation in France. Over the last decade, the use of radiation in medicine has increased due to the introduction of new practices. The EXposition des Professionnels de santE aux RayonnemenTs ioniSants study aims to evaluate and characterize the trends in radiation exposure of health workers in France between 2009 and 2019. METHODS This retrospective study includes all health workers with at least one dosimetric record in the system for occupational dosimetry registration (Système d'information de la surveillance de l'exposition aux rayonnements ionisants) database for each of the years 2009, 2014, and 2019, in the hospitals included in the study. Individual external doses and socio-professional data were collected. Statistical analyses include descriptions, graphs, and logistic regressions. RESULTS A total of 1457 workers were included (mean age: 39.8 years, 59% women). The average exposure significantly decreased between 2009 and 2019 (-0.008 mSv/year, p < 0.05). There were large discrepancies in trends according to professions, departments, hospitals, and gender. Over the 10-year study period, radiologic technologists and physicians were the most exposed (0.15 mSv (95%CI 0.14-0.16) and 0.13 mSv (0.06-0.21), respectively), but their exposure tended to decrease. Workers in nuclear medicine departments had the highest radiation exposure (0.36 mSv (0.33-0.39)), which remained stable over time. Thirty-eight percent of recorded doses were nonzero in 2009, decreasing to 20% in 2019. CONCLUSIONS This study allowed to identify physicians and radiologic technologists in nuclear medicine departments as the most exposed medical workers in France, and to show an overall decrease trend in radiation exposure. This should be instructive for radiation monitoring and safety of exposed medical workers. KEY POINTS • Radiation exposure of healthcare workers in most medical departments has steadily decreased between 2009 and 2019 in several French hospitals. • The number of zero doses consistently increased during the study period. • Workers in nuclear medicine departments are the most exposed, especially radiologic technologists and physicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémence Baudin
- Laboratoire d'Epidémiologie, Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), 31, avenue de la Division Leclerc, F-92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
| | - Blandine Vacquier
- Service Santé Travail Environnement, CHU de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Guillemette Thin
- Service de médecine du travail, Hôpital Cochin, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Lamine Chenene
- Service central de santé au travail, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Joël Guersen
- CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | | | - Martine Louet
- Service de médecine du travail, Hôpital Pitié Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | | | - Stéphanie Mora
- Service Santé Travail Environnement, CHU de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Juliette Feuardent
- Bureau d'Analyse et de Suivi des Expositions Professionnelles, Institut de radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Frédéric Rousseau
- Bureau d'Analyse et de Suivi des Expositions Professionnelles, Institut de radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Hervé Roy
- Bureau d'Analyse et de Suivi des Expositions Professionnelles, Institut de radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | | | - Louis Boyer
- CHU de Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Marie-Odile Bernier
- Laboratoire d'Epidémiologie, Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), 31, avenue de la Division Leclerc, F-92260, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
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Li H, Zhao S, Jiang M, Zhu T, Liu J, Feng G, Lu L, Dong J, Wu X, Chen X, Zhao Y, Fan S. Biomodified Extracellular Vesicles Remodel the Intestinal Microenvironment to Overcome Radiation Enteritis. ACS NANO 2023; 17:14079-14098. [PMID: 37399352 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c04578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Ionizing radiation (IR) is associated with the occurrence of enteritis, and protecting the whole intestine from radiation-induced gut injury remains an unmet clinical need. Circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) are proven to be vital factors in the establishment of tissue and cell microenvironments. In this study, we aimed to investigate a radioprotective strategy mediated by small EVs (exosomes) in the context of irradiation-induced intestinal injury. We found that exosomes derived from donor mice exposed to total body irradiation (TBI) could protect recipient mice against TBI-induced lethality and alleviate radiation-induced gastrointestinal (GI) tract toxicity. To enhance the protective effect of EVs, profilings of mouse and human exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) were performed to identify the functional molecule in exosomes. We found that miRNA-142-5p was highly expressed in exosomes from both donor mice exposed to TBI and patients after radiotherapy (RT). Moreover, miR-142 protected intestinal epithelial cells from irradiation-induced apoptosis and death and mediated EV protection against radiation enteritis by ameliorating the intestinal microenvironment. Then, biomodification of EVs was accomplished via enhancing miR-142 expression and intestinal specificity of exosomes, and thus improved EV-mediated protection from radiation enteritis. Our findings provide an effective approach for protecting against GI syndrome in people exposed to irradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, P.R. China
| | - Shuya Zhao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, P.R. China
| | - Mian Jiang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, P.R. China
| | - Tong Zhu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, P.R. China
| | - Jinjian Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, P.R. China
| | - Guoxing Feng
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, P.R. China
| | - Lu Lu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, P.R. China
| | - Jiali Dong
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, P.R. China
| | - Xin Wu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, P.R. China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, P.R. China
| | - Saijun Fan
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, P.R. China
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The relative contribution of photons and positrons to skin dose in the handling of PET radiopharmaceuticals. Appl Radiat Isot 2023; 194:110705. [PMID: 36731393 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2023.110705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite recommendations to use syringe and vial shields to reduce exposure of the hands of staff when manipulating PET radiopharmaceuticals, operators sometimes prefer to work without shields, believing that the faster handling limits the equivalent dose. The aim of this work is to show that this approach does not properly consider the contribution of positrons to the dose. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using the Varskin+ code, skin doses were calculated for syringes of various sizes, filled with 18F, 11C or 68Ga solution. Syringes without shielding, or shielded with 2 mm and 10 mm of tungsten were considered. RESULTS Dose rate values in mSv/s per MBq, averaged on a 1 cm2 surface at a depth of 0.07 mm were calculated for all the above conditions. For example, in the case of 3 mL 18F syringe at 1 mm from the skin, the dose rate without shielding is 1.32E-02 and 8.63E-04 for positrons and photons respectively. For 11C, the corresponding dose rates are 4.70E-02 and 8.90E-04 respectively, and for 68Ga, 8.52E-02 and 9.48E-04. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that the dose due to positrons is the principal component of skin irradiation, by a factor of 3-100, depending on the conditions. The use of shields for syringes and vials is necessary to avoid unjustified skin exposures, that may challenge dose limits. In our opinion, automatic systems for dispensing and allowing injection with shielded syringes, or automatic injectors, are economically justified and should be adopted in PET.
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Matusiak K, Wolna J, Jung A, Sadowski L, Pawlus J. Impact of the Frequency and Type of Procedures Performed in Nuclear Medicine Units on the Expected Radiological Hazard. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5206. [PMID: 36982115 PMCID: PMC10049529 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20065206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear medicine procedures play an important role in medical diagnostics and therapy. They are related to the use of ionizing radiation, which affects the radiological exposure of all of the persons involved in their performance. The goal of the study was to estimate the doses associated with the performance of various nuclear medicine procedures in order to optimize workload management. The analysis was performed for 158 myocardial perfusion scintigraphy procedures, 24 bone scintigraphies, 9 thyroid scintigraphies (6 with use of 131I and 3 with 99mTc), 5 parathyroid glands and 5 renal scintigraphies. In this evaluation, two possible locations of thermoluminescent detectors, used for measurements, were taken into consideration: in the control room and directly next to the patient. It was shown how the radiological exposure varies depending on the performed procedure. For high activity procedures, ambient dose equivalent registered in the control room reached the level over 50% of allowed dose limit. For example, ambient dose equivalent obtained in control room when performing bone scintigraphy only was 1.13 ± 0.3 mSv. It is 68% of calculated dose limit in the examined time span. It has been shown that risk associated with nuclear medicine procedures is influenced not only by the type of procedure, but also by the frequency of their performance and compliance with the ALARA principle. Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy accounted for 79% of all evaluated procedures. The use of radiation shielding reduced the obtained doses from 14.7 ± 2.1 mSv in patient's vicinity to 1.47 ± 0.6 mSv behind the shielding. By comparing the results obtained for procedures and dose limits established by Polish Ministry of Health, it is possible to estimate what should be the optimal division of duties between staff, so that everyone receives similar doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Matusiak
- Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, AGH University of Science and Technology, Av. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Justyna Wolna
- Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, AGH University of Science and Technology, Av. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Jung
- Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science, AGH University of Science and Technology, Av. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
| | - Leszek Sadowski
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, 5th Military Hospital, ul. Wroclawska 1-3, 30-901 Krakow, Poland
| | - Jolanta Pawlus
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, 5th Military Hospital, ul. Wroclawska 1-3, 30-901 Krakow, Poland
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Boice JD, Cohen SS, Mumma MT, Howard SC, Yoder RC, Dauer LT. Mortality among medical radiation workers in the United States, 1965-2016. Int J Radiat Biol 2023; 99:183-207. [PMID: 34731066 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2021.1967508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Estimates of radiation risks following prolonged exposures at low doses and low-dose rates are uncertain. Medical radiation workers are a major component of the Million Person Study (MPS) of low-dose health effects. Annual personal dose equivalents, HP(10), for individual workers are available to facilitate dose-response analyses for lung cancer, leukemia, ischemic heart disease (IHD) and other causes of death. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Landauer, Inc. dosimetry database identified 109,019 medical and associated radiation workers first monitored 1965-1994. Vital status and cause of death were determined through 2016. Mean absorbed doses to red bone marrow (RBM), lung, heart, and other organs were estimated by adjusting the recorded HP(10) for each worker by scaling factors, accounting for exposure geometry, the energy of the incident photon radiation, sex of the worker and whether an apron was worn. There were 4 exposure scenarios: general radiology characterized by low-energy x-ray exposure with no lead apron use, interventional radiologists/cardiologists who wore aprons, nuclear medicine personnel and radiation oncologists exposed to high-energy photon radiation, and other workers. Standardized mortality ratio (SMR) analyses were performed. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate organ-specific radiation risks. RESULTS Overall, 11,433 deaths occurred (SMR 0.60; 95%CI 0.59,0.61), 126 from leukemia other than chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), 850 from lung cancer, and 1654 from IHD. The mean duration of monitoring was 23.7 y. The excess relative rate (ERR) per 100 mGy was estimated as 0.10 (95% CI -0.34, 0.54) for leukemia other than CLL, 0.15 (0.02, 0.27) for lung cancer, and -0.10 (-0.27, 0.06) for IHD. The ERR for lung cancer was 0.16 (0.01, 0.32) among the 55,218 male workers and 0.09 (-0.19, 0.36) among the 53,801 female workers; a difference that was not statistically significant (p-value = 0.23). CONCLUSIONS Medical radiation workers were at increased risk for lung cancer that was higher among men than women, although this difference was not statistically significant. In contrast, the study of Japanese atomic bomb survivors exposed briefly to radiation in 1945 found females to be nearly 3 times the radiation risk of lung cancer compared with males on a relative scale. For medical workers, there were no statistically significant radiation associations with leukemia excluding CLL, IHD or other specific causes of death. Combining these data with other cohorts within the MPS, such as nuclear power plant workers and nuclear submariners, will enable more precise estimates of radiation risks at relatively low cumulative doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Boice
- National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Michael T Mumma
- International Epidemiology Institute, Rockville, MD, USA.,Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Sara C Howard
- ORISE Health Studies Program, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | | | - Lawrence T Dauer
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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Assessment of extremity occupational exposure at a nuclear medicine department. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH AND APPLIED SCIENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jrras.2022.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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11
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Boice JD, Cohen SS, Mumma MT, Hagemeyer DA, Chen H, Golden AP, Yoder RC, Dauer LT. Mortality from Leukemia, Cancer and Heart Disease among U.S. Nuclear Power Plant Workers, 1957-2011. Int J Radiat Biol 2021; 98:657-678. [PMID: 34669562 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2021.1967507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of the Million Person Study (MPS) of Low Dose Health Effects is to examine the level of radiation risk for chronic exposures received gradually over time and not acutely as was the case for the Japanese atomic bomb survivors. Nuclear power plant (NPP) workers comprise nearly 15 percent of the MPS. Leukemia, selected cancers, Parkinson's disease, ischemic heart disease (IHD) and other causes of death are evaluated. METHODS AND MATERIAL The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Radiation Exposure Information and Reporting System (REIRS) and the Landauer, Inc. dosimetry databases identified 135,193 NPP workers first monitored 1957-1984. Annual personal dose equivalents [Hp(10)] were available for each worker. Radiation records from all places of employment were sought. Vital status was determined through 2011. Mean absorbed doses to red bone marrow (RBM), esophagus, lung, colon, brain and heart were estimated by adjusting the recorded Hp(10) for each worker by scaling factors, accounting for exposure geometry and energy of the incident gamma radiation. Standardized mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated. Radiation risks were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS Nearly 50% of workers were employed for more than 20 years. The mean duration of follow-up was 30.2 y. Overall, 29,076 total deaths occurred, 296 from leukemia other than chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), 3,382 from lung cancer, 140 from Parkinson's disease and 5,410 from IHD. The mean dose to RBM was 37.9 mGy (maximum 1.0 Gy; percent >100 mGy was 9.2%), 43.2 mGy to lung, 43.7 mGy to colon, 33.2 mGy to brain, and 43.9 mGy to heart. The SMRs (95% CI) were 1.06 (0.94;1.19) for leukemia other than CLL, 1.10 (1.07;1.14) for lung cancer, 0.90 (0.76;1.06) for Parkinson's disease, and 0.80 (0.78; 0.82) for IHD. The excess relative risk (ERR) per 100 mGy for leukemia other than CLL was 0.15 (90% CI 0.001; 0.31). For all solid cancers the ERR per 100 mGy (95% CI) was 0.01 (-0.03; 0.05), for lung cancer -0.04 (-0.11; 0.02), for Parkinson's disease 0.24 (-0.02; 0.50), and for IHD -0.01 (-0.06; 0.04). CONCLUSION Prolonged exposure to radiation increased the risk of leukemia other than CLL among NPP workers. There was little evidence for a radiation-association for all solid cancers, lung cancer or ischemic heart disease. Increased precision will be forthcoming as the different cohorts within the MPS are combined, such as industrial radiographers and medical radiation workers who were assembled and evaluated in like manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Boice
- National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, Bethesda, MD, USA.,Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt Epidemiology Center and Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Michael T Mumma
- International Epidemiology Institute, Rockville, MD, USA.,Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Heidi Chen
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | | | - Lawrence T Dauer
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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Mettler FA, Guiberteau MJ. Occupational Exposure in General Radiology and Nuclear Medicine: A Changing Target. Radiology 2021; 300:613-614. [PMID: 34156304 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2021211104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fred A Mettler
- From the Department of Radiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 (F.A.M.); and 619 Northumberland Rd, Austin, Tex (M.J.G.)
| | - Milton J Guiberteau
- From the Department of Radiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, 2211 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106 (F.A.M.); and 619 Northumberland Rd, Austin, Tex (M.J.G.)
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