Journal of Radiological Protection最新文献

Personal air sampling (PAS) is used to assess worker intake of airborne radioactivity in operations processing minerals containing naturally occurring radionuclides. Subsequent alpha particle counting of the PAS filter may be affected by self-absorption of the alpha particles in the dust matrix or filter, depending on the dust loading on the filter and the size of particles collected. This review investigates the potential for self-absorption on air sampling filters via a literature review and by applying a formula to correct past PAS data from the mineral sand industry. The findings indicate that PAS estimates of intake were consistently under-stated by at least 40% across work categories engaged in the operation and maintenance of mineral sand separation plants. An alpha particle self-absorption greater than 50% was derived when dust loading on the PAS filter exceeded 3 mg·cm^-2. The findings demonstrate that historical PAS data in industries where self-absorption effects are neglected can substantially underestimate worker radionuclide intakes and doses, with important implications for retrospective dose assessment.

Scatter radiation to out-of-field radiosensitive organs such as the eyes, thyroid, and axilla can contribute to peripheral dose during mammography. This study evaluates an integrated shielding configuration designed to reduce such exposure. A high-density lead-glass face guard (LG-FG) and a hybrid compression paddle with stainless steel (HCSS-paddle) were modelled in MCNPX using Mo/Mo spectra at 25-35 kV under craniocaudal (CC) geometry. Simulation outputs were validated using optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLDs) and thermoluminescent dosimeter-100 (TLD-100) measurements on an anthropomorphic phantom. Both simulation and measurement showed consistent peripheral organ dose reductions of approximately ~85%-95% in the eyes, thyroid, and axilla, with modest change in compressed-breast dose (⩽10%-12%) and torso dose (⩽5%). Simulation-measurement differences remained within the predefined ±10% equivalence margin, indicating strong agreement between Monte Carlo predictions and phantom measurements.

Certified Disaster Prevention Specialists (Bousaisi) serve as both at-risk residents and first responders in Japan. This study examined how attendance at radiation-preparedness seminars influences three domain-specific knowledge factors-basic radiation physics, genetic effects knowledge, and radiation protection misconceptions-and whether these domains mediate the changes in concerns about radiation's health effects. Between March and April 2023, the study surveyed 666 Certified Disaster Prevention Specialists via online and postal questionnaires. Eleven true/false knowledge items (excluding one inverse-worded item) were analysed with logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, and other demographics, to test the association between seminar attendance and correct responses on each item. A multivariable linear regression was applied, using individual knowledge items, to predict a five-item factor score of health-effect concern. Exploratory factor analysis on polychoric correlations (oblimin rotation and parallel analysis) distilled those items the abovementioned three domains. A bias-corrected bootstrap mediation (5000 samples) was administered in lavaan to estimate how much of the seminar's effect was transmitted through each domain. At the baseline, correct rates for foundational physics items (time-distance-shielding, dose-unit quantification) exceeded 80%, whereas accuracy on epidemiological topics (occupational dose limits, DNA damage and repair, genetic-effect risks) was below 50%. Seminar attendance produced the largest gains in these underdeveloped items. In regression analyses, only genetic effects knowledge predicted lower health-effect concern (b= -0.52,p< 0.001). Mediation analysis demonstrated that reduced concern from seminar attendance operated exclusively through genetic effects knowledge (indirectβ= -0.31,p= 0.01). Hence, radiation-preparedness seminars significantly improved both physics and epidemiological knowledge; however, only enhanced an understanding of genetic effects alleviated health-effect concern. Future curricula should retain a brief physics refresher while prioritising epidemiologically grounded instruction on genetic risks to optimise competence and confidence among community responders.

Thirteen years after the Fukushima nuclear accident, Fukushima Prefecture still faces major challenges in recovery, especially concerning the negative image. Perception of spatial stigma refers to the residents' concerns about the negative image of their region and its residents as perceived by the public. The present study aims to clarify the perception of spatial stigma and its associated factors among residents. A questionnaire survey was conducted among local residents from December 2023 to January 2024 in Tomioka, Okuma, and Futaba towns. Statistical analysis was done using the chi-square test and logistic regression. 68.7% of participants expressed a strong perception of spatial stigma. Perception of spatial stigma was independently correlated with living in the FDNPP location, high radiation health risk perception, anxiety about treated water release, uncertainty of returning, and poor mental health. Actively addressing the stigma of Fukushima through targeted countermeasures is crucial for alleviating residents' perception of spatial stigma. These efforts are vital for fostering recovery and achieving comprehensive revitalisation of Fukushima Prefecture.

Dose monitoring software (DMS) tools have been introduced to automate the collection and analysis of patient radiation exposure data. However, their practical benefits and challenges in clinical settings remain underexplored. This study aimed to examine the experiences of medical physicists and radiographers using DMS in computed tomography in Australia, focusing on perceived benefits, challenges, and opportunities to optimise their use. An online survey was distributed through national professional organisations and social media. The survey included multiple-choice, Likert-scale, and open-ended questions on participant demographics, DMS experience, perceived impact on workflow, staff and patients, as well as participant recommendations. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative data, and thematic analysis was applied to qualitative responses. A total of 71 complete responses were received, with 44% reporting prior DMS experience, most of whom were medical physicists (77%). Participants generally reported positive experiences with DMS. Compared to manual methods of dose data collection/analysis, 97% agreed that DMS improved efficiency, with 74% and 71% reporting reductions in time and staff demands, respectively. Additionally, 58% found DMS easy to use, and 74% agreed it would help reduce overall patient radiation exposure. Key reported benefits included workflow efficiency, automated benchmarking, and improved radiation awareness. Challenges included complex setup, infrastructure requirements, data accuracy issues, and potential misunderstanding of DMS data. Recommendations centred on staff training, clear role assignment, and routine data validation. The findings demonstrate positive end-user experiences with the use of DMS to enhance radiation safety and workflow efficiency in radiology. The results also highlight the importance of a structured plan for implementing and operating DMS.

Fluoroscopic interventional procedures subject healthcare personnel to significant ionizing radiation exposure, necessitating the use of protective aprons. Protective aprons are made of varying materials and may be subjected to inadequate testing standards, leading to potential inaccuracies estimating effective dose when using single dosimeter methods. This study aims to develop an appropriate method to estimate effective dose for non-lead aprons using a single dosimeter worn outside the apron, thereby enhancing radiation protection and reducing musculoskeletal injuries to workers. A retrospective, secondary analysis of existing literature was conducted to derive a dataset suitable for algorithm development. Transmission of radiation through the protective apron at various thicknesses was modeled using exponential regression. The resulting equation incorporates the nominal lead equivalent thickness to estimate effective dose. Validation was performed by comparing algorithms using two-dosimeters, which do not rely on apron shielding assumptions. The dataset comprised 205 dosimeter readings from 42 physicians across 8243 procedures (Fetterlyet al). The derived equation,E=H0(0.13+1.02e(-11.33x)), demonstrated minimal underestimation, and a potential overestimation of up to 1.3-fold relative to the true effective dose, improving upon previous methods by 15%. Inclusion of a non-lead thyroid collar reduced effective dose by 17%-30%. Use of accessory upper body shielding is required when using this method. This novel method provides a method to estimate the effective dose using non-lead aprons at varying nominal lead equivalent thicknesses, surpassing previous single dosimeter approaches. The findings support improved optimization of radiation protection during fluoroscopic interventional procedures, may inform radiation safety regulations, and support ergonomic improvements.

Although the radiation dose impact of planning scans prior to the actual computed tomography (CT) scan has been addressed in previous studies, their systematic assessment across paediatric age groups and their relevance for establishing local diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) have not been thoroughly investigated and are not currently included in guideline recommendations. To investigate the influence of radiation dose from topogram, pre-monitoring, and monitoring scans by age on total radiation exposure and whether their doses need to be considered in DRLs and to establish local DRLs for these scan components. 102 chest CT scans with contrast material monitoring from 101 children (median age 12 years, interquartile range (IQR) 7-16 years) and 4498 chest CT scans from 4476 adults (⩾18 years) between January 2021 and May 2023 were retrospectively analysed. Paediatric scans were grouped into 5 age groups and compared with adult scans. The dose-length product (DLP) of topogram, pre-monitoring, and monitoring scans were evaluated and their effect on total radiation dose was analysed. Local DRLs were established for 5 different age groups. Radiation dose proportions of planning scans to total DLP in chest CT increased with decreasing age group (mainlyp< 0.05), with the monitoring scan having the greatest impact. The median topogram proportion increased from 0.3% (⩾18 years) to 1.6% (<1 year), the pre-monitoring proportion from 0.5% (⩾18 years) to 3.5% (<1 year), and the monitoring proportion from 2.2% (⩾18 years) to 26.9% (<1 year). In children under 10 years, monitoring scans in chest CT have a large impact on radiation dose, contributing a median of 13%-27% of the total radiation dose compared to adults (median: 2.2%). Therefore, these planning scans should be monitored and included in radiation dose optimization efforts such as DRLs.

The International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU) and the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) have jointly published a report recommending new operational quantities for radiological protection. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the introduction of this new quantity on the response of 19 commercially available survey meters equipped with geiger müller tubes and 2 survey meters equipped with ionization chambers. The energy response was evaluated for X-ray beam qualities defined by ISO (N-30 to N-200). The results strongly depend on model of the survey meter. Some survey meters showed a similar energy dependence for the new ICRU 95 operational quantity H* compared to the current operational quantity H*(10). These survey meters may be adapted to the new operational quantities requiring only a simple recalibration. However, in some cases the introduction of the new operational quantity showed the necessity of to physically modify the survey meter by, for example, the introduction of lead filtration.

This response to a Letter to the Editor aims to clarify the purpose, methodology and key findings of the original paper, whilst addressing specific points raised.

This paper provides a critical review of a paper published in an earlier edition of the journal.