Slide 1:PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director PHCC Radiation Safety


Radiation Safety Contents :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Safety Contents I. Ionizing Radiation definition & its hazards II. PHCC Radiation Protection Activities III. Identification of Restricted & Unrestricted IV. Identification of Occupational Workers V. Identification of members of the public VI. Study for limiting required doses to public


Radiation Safety Contents (cont.) :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Safety Contents (cont.) VII. Policy on declared pregnant worker VIII. Policy on use of personnel monitoring IX. Procedure for recordkeeping X. Procedure for program evaluation XI. Records


Radiation Safety :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Safety Definition Ionizing radiation is radiation that has sufficient energy to remove electrons from atoms. PHCC only has ionizing radiation exposure in its Radiography Dept on West Campus. The equipment is situated in M-115 & 116. Other energized equipment is located in the Dental Labs


Radiation Safety :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Safety


Radiation Safety Background Info :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Safety Background Info One source of radiation is the nuclei of unstable atoms. For these radioactive atoms (also referred to as radio-nuclides or radioisotopes) to become more stable, the nuclei eject or emit subatomic particles and high-energy photons (gamma rays). This process is called radioactive decay. Unstable isotopes of radium, radon, uranium, and thorium, for example, exist naturally. Others are continually being made naturally or by human activities such as the splitting of atoms in a nuclear reactor. Either way, they release ionizing radiation. The major types of radiation emitted as a result of spontaneous decay are alpha and beta particles, and gamma rays. X rays, another major type of radiation, arise from processes outside of the nucleus.


Radiation Background Info :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Background Info Any electromagnetic or particulate radiation capable of producing ion pairs by interaction with matter. Scope is limited to X and gamma rays, alpha particles, beta particles (electrons), neutrons, and charged nuclei. Important biologically since media can be altered (e.g., ionized atom in DNA molecule may be altered, thereby causing cell death, or mutation).


Radiation Background Info :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Background Info Alpha Particles Alpha particles are energetic, positively charged particles (helium nuclei) that rapidly lose energy when passing through matter. They are commonly emitted in the radioactive decay of the heaviest radioactive elements such as uranium and radium as well as by some manmade elements. Beta Particles Beta particles are fast moving, positively or negatively charged electrons emitted from the nucleus during radioactive decay. Humans are exposed to beta particles from manmade and natural sources such as tritium, carbon-14, and strontium-90. Beta particles are more penetrating than alpha particles, but are less damaging over equally traveled distances


Radiation Background Info :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Background Info Gamma Rays Like visible light and x rays, gamma rays are weightless packets of energy called photons. Gamma rays often accompany the emission of alpha or beta particles from a nucleus. They have neither a charge nor a mass and are very penetrating. Gamma rays can easily pass completely through the human body or be absorbed by tissue, thus constituting a radiation hazard for the entire body. Several feet of concrete or a few inches of lead may be required to stop the more energetic gamma rays


Radiation Background Info :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Background Info X Rays X rays are high-energy photons produced by the interaction of charged particles with matter. X rays and gamma rays have essentially the same properties, but differ in origin; X rays are also used for cancer therapy to destroy malignant cells. Because of their many uses, x rays are the single largest source of manmade radiation exposure. A few millimeters of lead can stop medical x rays


Radiation & Types of Particles :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation & Types of Particles


Sources of Radiation :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Sources of Radiation Manmade Radiation Radiation is used on an ever increasing scale in medicine, dentistry, and industry. Main users of manmade radiation include: medical facilities such as hospitals and pharmaceutical facilities; research and teaching institutions; nuclear reactors and their supporting facilities such as uranium mills and fuel preparation plants; and Federal facilities involved in nuclear weapons production as part of their normal operation. Many of these facilities generate some radioactive waste; and some release a controlled amount of radiation into the environment. Radioactive materials are also used in common consumer products such as digital and luminous-dial wristwatches, ceramic glazes, artificial teeth, and smoke detectors


Radiation Background Info :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Background Info Natural Radiation Humans are primarily exposed to natural radiation from the sun, cosmic rays, and naturally occurring radioactive elements found in the earth's crust. Radon, which emanates from the ground, is another important source of natural radiation. Cosmic rays from space include energetic protons, electrons, gamma rays, and x rays. The primary radioactive elements found in the earth's crust are uranium, thorium, and potassium, and their radioactive derivatives. These elements emit alpha and beta particles, or gamma rays.


Health Effects of Radiation :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Health Effects of Radiation Depending on the level of exposure, radiation can pose a health risk. It can adversely affect individuals directly exposed as well as their descendants. Radiation can affect cells of the body, increasing the risk of cancer or harmful genetic mutations that can be passed on to future generations; or, if the dosage is large enough to cause massive tissue damage, it may lead to death within a few weeks of exposure..


Radiation Protection Activities :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Protection Activities Protection of the Patient Check proper patient ID prior to beginning any radiographic procedure Implement the 10 day rule when radio graphing female patients within child-bearing age Utilize protective shielding such as gonad, thyroid on all patients when applicable All repeat radiographs MUST be completed under the direct supervision of a qualified practitioner


Radiation Protection Activities Protection of Student & Faculty :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Protection Activities Protection of Student & Faculty Clinical Education Site: 1.) Wear dosimeter badge on the collar of the uniform at all times. If wearing a lead apron-wear the badge on the outside 2.) When assisting with fluoroscopic procedures always wear a lead apron.


Radiation Protection ActivitiesProtection of student & faculty (cont) :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Protection ActivitiesProtection of student & faculty (cont) PHCC Energized Labs & Dental Clinic 1.) Students are not permitted to operate x-ray equipment without supervision of faculty 2.) Students are not permitted to expose another student to ionizing radiation while in the energized lab. 3.) Students and faculty must wear a radiation dosimeter device when operating in M-115 & 116 and/or Dental Clinic


Radiation Protection ActivitiesProtection of student & faculty (cont.) :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Protection ActivitiesProtection of student & faculty (cont.) PHCC Energized Radiography Lab & Dental Clinic 4.) Students taking radiographic exposures in the PHCC Energized Lab must comply with the following criteria: A.) The outside doors to the energized labs must be closed B.) Students and faculty must stand completely behind the lead lined wall of the control booth while exposures are being taken C.) Exposures taken with ionizing radiation will only be made using specified phantoms for lab experiments and educational training


Identification of Restricted Areas :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Identification of Restricted Areas Rooms 115 & 116 in Bldg M West Campus are restricted areas. They are designated energized labs as is the Dental Clinic. These labs/Clinic are restricted to students currently enrolled in Radiography & Dental Programs as well as faculty.


Identification of Restricted and Unrestricted areas :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Identification of Restricted and Unrestricted areas The rooms are in the Dental Clinic used for taking dental x-rays as well as the corridor connecting them area also restricted. All other areas of the Dental Clinic are unrestricted.


Identification of Occupational Workers :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Identification of Occupational Workers Occupational workers are defined as students currently enrolled in Radiography or Dental programs and all faculty associated with each program


Identification of Members of the Public :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Identification of Members of the Public All others not listed as “Occupational Workers” are considered “public”


Public Dosage Limits :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Public Dosage Limits Clinical Education Sites Students will follow the protocol established for each Clinical site regarding safe radiation practices. PHCC Dental Clinic Protection for the public is provided by Clinical diagnosis and selection, physical separation, suitable barriers, and distance from the x-ray rooms.


PHCC & Pregnant Worker :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director PHCC & Pregnant Worker Criteria for meeting policy Letter from physician is needed with confirmation of pregnancy Contact the Program Coordinator as soon as she suspects pregnancy Program Coordinator will assign remaining clinical rotations where student will be able to complete competencies but with little to no exposure to ionizing radiation. PHCC Pregnant workers policy Measures will be taken to assure compliance with the Standards for Protection Against Radiation. It is the responsibility of the student/faculty to declare pregnancy or suspected pregnancy in order for any accommodation to be made.


PHCC & Pregnant Worker (cont.) :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director PHCC & Pregnant Worker (cont.) Student is required to purchase a fetal monitoring device (at her expense) Student must sign a pregnancy release form. Any clinical time missed must be made up. Refer to Florida Administrative Code 64E for further pregnancy guidelines.


PHCC Dental Program :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director PHCC Dental Program Dental hygiene students that are pregnant must obtain a written release from their physician indicating permission to expose dental radiographs. Students & faculty are required to wear radiation monitoring devices while in an energized lab, Dental Clinic, and Clinical Education site. Dosimeter badges are to be worn on the collar, near the neck/upper chest area. If a lead apron is worn, the device should be outside the apron.


PHCC Radiation Safety :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director PHCC Radiation Safety Policy on Personnel Monitoring If a student does not have his/her film badge while in the laboratory, (s)he may not participate in the taking of radiographs. Student will be responsible for any missed assignment.


Recordkeeping procedures :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Recordkeeping procedures Radiation protection monitored monthly basis. A report is issued by a radiation monitoring company calculating the individual’s radiation exposure. .


Radiation Exposure (cont.) :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Exposure (cont.) Students & faculty are required to initial their exposure reading every month. Copies of these reports are kept in Dental or Radiography Program coordinator’s office.


Radiation Recordkeeping :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Recordkeeping Radiation protection devices designated by the College may not be worn by the student/faculty member during activities not related to PHCC clinical/lab assignments


Radiation Safety Final Notes :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Safety Final Notes Dental Clinic – patient dental chart & x-rays are the property of PHCC Dental and will be kept on file. The Radiation Safety Officer will assess the Radiation Safety Plan yearly. If any adjustments are made, an addendum will be sent to the Dept of Health, Bureau of Radiation Control within one week. RECORDS- WILL BE MAINTAINED UNTIL REGISTRATION IS TERMINATED.


Radiation Safety References :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Safety References Suggested Reading To learn more about radiation, we suggest you read the following books: Cember, H. Introduction to Health Physics. New York: Pergamon Press, 1983. Martin, A. and Harbison, S.A. An Introduction to Radiation Protection. 3rd ed. London: Chapman and Hall, 1986. Shapiro, J. Radiation Protection. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1972.


Slide 33:PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director


Slide 34:PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director


Radiation Safety Summary :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Safety Summary Radiation is energy that travels in the form of waves or high speed particles. Radioactivity is the property of some atoms that causes them to spontaneously give off energy as particles or rays. Radioactive atoms emit ionizing radiation when they


Radiation Safety Summary :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Safety Summary PHCC students & faculty must work with the Radiation Safety Officer to achieve compliance with PHCC regulations on radiation exposure.


Slide 37:PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director


Slide 38:PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director


Radiation Safety Summary :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Safety Summary Pregnant students must report immediately their suspicions that they are pregnant and purchase a fetal monitoring device. Restricted areas are M-115 & M-116.


Radiation Safety Summary :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Safety Summary Radiation safety precautions include the use of a lead apron, monitoring device, and cooperation with the Radiation Safety Officer. Use of the Energized Lab requires closure of outside doors, use of a lead lined wall, and exposures only during specified phantoms for lab experiments and education training.


Radiation Safety Quiz :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Safety Quiz I. True or False Implementing the 15 day rule is necessary when radio graphing female patients within child-bearing age. (false) II. True or False Rooms 115 & 117 M-Building are designated restricted areas. (false) III. True or False The Radiation Safety Officer must review the PHCC radiation safety plan every two years. (false) IV. True or False Students only need to close the outside doors to the energized labs to take the radiographic exposures. (false)


Radiation Safety Quiz :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Safety Quiz V. Fill in the blank Ionizing radiation is defined as which of the following: A) Ionizing radiation is radiation that has sufficient energy to remove electrons from atoms. B) Ionizing radiation is radiation which utilizes beta molecules are stimulation. C) Ionizing radiation is radiation which results from the stimulation of alpha molecules.


Radiation Safety Quiz :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Safety Quiz VI. True or False X rays, another major type of radiation, arise from processes outside of the nucleus. (true) VII. True or False Radioactive materials are also used in common consumer products such as digital and luminous-dial wristwatches, ceramic glazes, artificial teeth, and smoke detectors. (true)


Radiation Safety Quiz :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Safety Quiz VIII. True or False One source of radiation is the nuclei of unstable atoms. (true) IX. True or False Radioactivity is the property of some atoms that causes them to spontaneously give off energy as particles or rays. (true) X. True or False Gamma rays can easily pass completely through the human body or be absorbed by tissue, thus constituting a radiation hazard for the entire body. (true)


Radiation Safety Quiz :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Safety Quiz XI. True or False Beta particles are less penetrating than alpha particles, but are less damaging over equally traveled distances. (false) XII. True or False Any electromagnetic or particulate radiation capable of producing ion pairs by interaction with matter. (true) XIII. True or False Radon, which emanates from uranium, is another important source of natural radiation. Cosmic rays from space include energetic protons, electrons, gamma rays, and x rays. (false)


Radiation Safety Quiz :PHCC Facilities Safety Keith Braun Director Radiation Safety Quiz XIV. True or False Alpha particles are energetic, positively charged particles (helium nuclei) that rapidly lose energy when passing through matter. XV. True or False When assisting with fluoroscopic procedures at PHCC, always wear a lead apron. (true)