Radiation Safety
Colin J. Martin,
Colin J. Martin
Health Physics Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Department of Clinical Physics and Bio-Engineering, Health Physics, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland
Search for more papers by this authorColin J. Martin,
Colin J. Martin
Health Physics Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Department of Clinical Physics and Bio-Engineering, Health Physics, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland
Search for more papers by this authorFirst published: 14 April 2006
Abstract
Radiation is used in a wide range of applications in hospitals and health care. It offers tremendous advantages in the ability to image, diagnose, and treat disease, but it can damage human health in various ways, the most important of which is increasing the risk of inducing cancer. This article discusses the risks from exposure to ionizing radiation, in both the short and the long term and considers the different routes through which staff and patients may be exposed to radiation in health care. The basic principles of radiation protection, detection of radiation, and management of radiation safety in a hospital environment are considered. The various types of risk from different applications are considered. For example, in radiology, the x-rays are generated by equipment and present only an external hazard, whereas in nuclear medicine, radioactive materials are used that may be taken into the body and irradiate tissue from the inside. Finally, in radiotherapy, where radiation is used to kill cancer cells, the radiation levels are higher and greater precautions must be put in place to minimize the exposure of staff. Different ways in which radiation safety is achieved for the various applications are described. The article also considers the risks from nonionizing radiations in the form of optical radiations, i.e., lasers and ultraviolet that are hazardous to the eyes and skin, and electromagnetic fields, which heat tissue and may induce other effects.
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