1. UNIT 6 Introduction to Radiation Protection
Goal of Radiation Protection:
To minimize exposure to the patient and the operator ALARA Concept

2. What is radiation?
Radiation is a form of energy; “Electromagnetic radiation”.
More specifically, it is a form of radiant energy.
Ionizing radiation (IR) has the ability to cause chemical and biological changes through ionization.

3. Electromagnetic Spectrum
These are the different types of electromagnetic radiation. Cosmic radiation has the most energy on the spectrum; Infrared has the least energy. The more energy the radiation has, the more its ability to penetrate matter.

4. Types of Radiation Type Charge Symbol
Alpha (particulate)+2 charge
Beta (particulate) -1 charge
Gamma (e-m) no charge
X-Ray (e-m) no charge X

5. Characteristics of X-Rays
Invisible
Highly penetrating
Ability to ionize matter
Travel in straight lines
Travel at the speed of light in a vacuum
Cause chemical and biological changes (due to ionization)
Produce scattered/secondary radiation

6. Sources of Radiation
Natural Background Radiation
Manmade Radiation

7. 3 Types of Natural Background Radiation
Cosmic radiation from the sun & stars
Terrestrial radiation from radioactive elements in the earth
Internal radiation from inside the body

8. Manmade Radiation from...
Medical and Dental X-Rays
Nuclear Reactors
Radioactive Fallout

9. Percent exposure to various types of ionizing radiation

10. Most radiosensitive organs
Lens of the eyes
Bone marrow
Gonads
Thyroid

11. Main Principles of Protection
Time
Distance
Shielding

12. Devices/Methods to Reduce Operator Exposure
Reduce time of exposure
Don’t hold patients during exposure
Get it right the first time! Reduce repeats!

13. Operator Protection Utilize Shielding Available
Lead Aprons, Gloves, Thyroid Shields, Pb Goggles
Stand behind Pb Control Booth during exposures

14. Operator Protection
Distance yourself from the source of Radiation (ie. The tube or the patient)
Distance yourself from the patient during exposures. Patient is the greatest source of scatter- (Fluoroscopy and Mobile)
Distance yourself from the X-Ray Tube (source of x-rays)
Wear personnel monitoring device correctly to develop and awareness of exposure you receive (at the collar level & outside the Pb apron when one is worn)

15. Devices/Methods to Reduce Patient Exposure
Use of Beam Limitation - Cones, Collimators, Diaphragms, PBL (Positive Beam Limitation)
This reduces patient exposure and scattered radiation

16. Devices/Methods to Reduce Patient Exposure
Use of Filtration - Al (Aluminum) filters protect patient skin exposure
2.5 mm Al filtration is required for equipment using 70 kVp or higher

17. Devices/Methods to Reduce Patient Exposure
High KvP / Low mAs exposures are best for the patient.
mAs is directly proportional to the amount of exposure the patient receives.
Use of higher kVp increases penetration thus reduces absorption.

18. Patient Protection
For conventional systems, use of high speed film/screen systems reduce the amount of exposure required.
Reduce repeats ie: use short exposure times which eliminate motion (blurry pictures), Use immobilization devices to prevent patient movement.
Use gonad shielding (when indicated) to reduce patient gonad dose.

19. Measurement of Radiation
Traditional
Unit
SI Unit
Definition
Exposure
in Air
Roentgen
“R”
Coulombs/kG
(C/kG)
1.08X109 ion pairs/cc
Absorbed
Dose
Radiation Absorbed Dose
“Rad”
Gray (Gy)
100 ergs/gm
Dose Equivalent
Radiation Equivalent Man
“Rem”
Sievert (Sv)
Rad x QF
Radioactivity
Curie
(Ci)
Becquerel
(Bq)
3.7X1010dps

20. Sponsored by:
This workforce solution was funded by a grant awarded under the President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or it’s completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This solution is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.