Radiological accident in Salvador, Bahia : Physical and medical aspects

Between 25 September and 9 November 1997, a radiological accident occurred, involving three workers of a Brazilian mineral processed industry, during the maintenance of an X-ray diffraction equipment. The accident reconstitution was done in four steps: interviews with involved persons; dosimetric evaluation with radiographic films, ionizing chamber and thermoluminescence dosimeters; cytogenetic dosimetry, and taking the X-ray diffraction equipment apart. The results of investigation showed that the radiological accident happened during the calibration of the X-ray diffraction equipment and that the victims had their hands exposed to high level of radiation between 5.6 and 20 Gy. These radiation doses began an erythema process with progressive injuries. It was concluded that the causes of the radiological accidents were due to lack of maintenance of the main part of the equipment, where the X-ray is liberated and, the non observance of maintenance, calibration and radiation protection procedures. Some recommendation about radiation protection and safe use of the X-ray diffraction equipment are also shown in this paper

Deterministic effects of interventional radiology procedures

The purpose of this paper is to describe deterministic radiation injuries reported to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that resulted from therapeutic, interventional procedures performed under fluoroscopic guidance, and to investigate the procedure or equipment-related factors that may have contributed to the injury. Reports submitted to the FDA under both mandatory and voluntary reporting requirements which described radiation-induced skin injuries from fluoroscopy were investigated. Serious skin injuries, including moist desquamation and tissue necrosis, have occurred since 1992. These injuries have resulted from a variety of interventional procedures which have required extended periods of fluoroscopy compared to typical diagnostic procedures. Facilities conducting therapeutic interventional procedures need to be aware of the potential for patient radiation injury and take appropriate steps to limit the potential for injury

Chernobyl disaster : Promotion of follow-up studies

Problem of clinically observed effects of irradiation and other damaging agents of Chernobyl accident is analysed in connection with the previous data. Several international and national scientific programs were performed during the 10 years after the accident. Obtained data are extremely useful for the elaboration of the system of radiation emergency medical preparedness and assistance network in Europe. Difficulties in diagnostic, therapeutic and statistical evaluation measures were characteristic for the first years after the accident. Future perspectives must include scientific investigation and practical help for the main groups of irradiated population on the international basis with the wide access to obtained data for the international community. The analysis of the materials and the circumstances under which they have been received are the basis for determining the following stages in learning the factors of the CPPA influence upon the health conditions of the exposed population: stage 1: 1986; stage 2: 1991; stage 3: 1993-1997. During 1986-1990 the investigations were carried out under the circumstances of the USSR within the framework of the Union programmes while special medical centres of the Union subordination, located in Moscow, took part in them. The major part of these investigations had been classified till 1989. The document presents as a result of the studies of early and middle-term effects some scientific knowledge obtained

Joint report of the Jilin 192Ir radiation accident : A clinical study on a case of moderate degree bone marrow form of acute radiation sickness with extremely severe local radiation injury

After the medical handling of a patient exposed to extremely uneven total body irradiation from an 192ir source (the activity was 2.765 TBq) on January 5, 1996 in Jilin City in order to afford new experience and information for similar case in the future. The authors emphasize the early amputation as the key to success, the importance of rhG-CSF effect and the significance of rational nutrition for the support of the patient, who had total body irradiation, massive local radiation injury and extensive surgical intervention to sustain. The document describe the accident, early clinical manifestation and posterior clinical manifestations (peripheral blood changes and bone marrow examination), evolution of local radiation injury; the assay of myocardial and musculature enzymes; assay of hemopoietic activity in the patient's sera and the treatment