Virtual reality training for radiation safety in cardiac catheterization laboratories - an integrated study.

The advent of fluoroscopically guided cardiology procedures has greatly improved patient outcomes but has also increased occupational radiation exposure for healthcare professionals, leading to adverse health effects such as radiation-induced cataracts, alopecia, and cancer. This emphasizes the need for effective radiation safety training. Traditional training methods, often based on passive learning, fail to simulate the dynamic catheterization laboratory environment adequately. Virtual Reality (VR) offers a promising alternative by providing immersive, interactive experiences that mimic real-world scenarios without the risks of actual radiation exposure. Our study aims to assess the effectiveness of VR-based radiation safety training compared to traditional methods. We conducted a prospective cohort study involving 48 healthcare professionals in a catheterization lab setting. Participants underwent a 1-hour self-directed VR training session using Virtual Medical Coaching's RadSafe VR software, which simulates real-world clinical scenarios. Pre- and post-intervention radiation dose levels were measured using personal dosimeters at the eye, chest, and pelvis. Knowledge and skills were assessed through tests, and feedback was gathered through surveys and interviews. Statistical analysis revealed significant reductions in radiation exposure across all professional groups after VR training. For cardiologists, the eye dose dropped by 21.88% (from 2.88 mSv to 2.25 mSv), the chest dose decreased by 21.65% (from 4.11 mSv to 3.22 mSv), and the pelvis dose went down by 21.84% (from 2.06 mSv to 1.61 mSv). Perioperative nurses experienced similar reductions, with eye doses decreasing by 14.74% (from 1.56 mSv to 1.33 mSv), chest doses by 26.92% (from 2.6 mSv to 1.9 mSv), and pelvis doses by 26.92% (from 1.3 mSv to 0.95 mSv). Radiographers saw their eye doses reduced by 18.95% (from 0.95 mSv to 0.77 mSv), chest doses by 42.11% (from 1.9 mSv to 1.1 mSv), and pelvis doses by 27.63% (from 0.76 mSv to 0.55 mSv).Participants reported enhanced engagement, improved understanding of radiation safety, and a preference for VR over traditional methods. A cost analysis also demonstrated the economic advantages of VR training, with significant savings in staff time and rental costs compared to traditional methods. Our findings suggest that VR is a highly effective and cost-efficient training tool for radiation safety in healthcare, offering significant benefits over traditional training approaches.

CCTA-Guided Invasive Coronary Angiography in Patients With CABG: A Multicenter, Randomized Study.

BACKGROUND: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in patients with post-coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) has a high diagnostic accuracy for visualization of grafts. Invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in patients with CABG is associated with increased procedural time, contrast agent administration, radiation exposure, and complications, compared with non-CABG patients. The aim of this multicenter, randomized controlled trial was to compare the strategy of CCTA-guided ICA versus classic ICA in patients with prior CABG. METHODS: Patients with prior CABG were randomly assigned (1:1 ratio) to have a CCTA before ICA (CCTA-ICA, group A) or not (ICA-only, group B). The primary end point of the study was the total volume (milliliters) of the contrast agent administered. RESULTS: A total of 251 patients were randomized, and 225 were included in analysis; 110 in group A and 115 in group B. The total contrast volume was higher in group A (184.5 [143-255] versus 154 [102-240] mL; P=0.001). The contrast volume administered during the invasive procedure was lower in group A (101.5 [60-151] versus 154 [102-240]; P<0.001). Total fluoroscopy time was decreased in group A (480 [259-873] versus 594 [360-1080] seconds; P=0.027), but total effective dose was increased (24.1 [17.7-32] versus 10.8 [5.6-18] mSv; P<0.001). The rate of contrast-induced nephropathy, periprocedural complications, and major adverse cardiac events during 3 to 5 and 30 days did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: A CCTA-directed ICA strategy for patients with CABG is associated with expedition of the invasive procedure, and less fluoroscopy time, at the cost of higher total contrast volume and effective radiation dose, compared with the classic ICA approach. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04631809.

Practical guidance on the assessment of radiation risks for diagnostic radiological examinations.

Patient doses cannot be limited; instead, radiological examinations should be justified and optimised to ensure the necessary diagnostic or therapeutic effect with the lowest patient dose achievable. Assessment of the radiation risks from patient exposure is important part of the justification process. Hence, medical staff within the framework of their professional activities should possess necessary information on the data on radiation risk from different types of radiological procedures. An approach has been developed that allows considering age and gender dependences of the risk coefficients of radiogenic cancer and the age and gender distribution of patients for various radiological examinations to assess the individual radiation risk for patient and collective risk for population from medical exposure. The approach is based on a new expanded use of the effective dose concept proposed in ICRP Publication 147 and demonstrated using the medical exposure in the Russian Federation as the example. For 30 radiological examinations that compose about 80% of the collective dose from medical exposure of the public in the Russian Federation radiation risk was assessed based on calculated age and gender specific risk coefficients per unit effective dose. For the rest of the examinations a simplified approach was used to assess the risk, which was based on using an age and gender specific risk coefficient determined for one of 4 anatomical regions (head, neck, chest and abdomen) or for uniform irradiation of the whole body. The proposed approach allows significantly improving the assessment of the radiation risk while continuing to use the effective dose as a dosimetric quantity within the framework of the state program in the Russian Federation. As a result the collective risk from medical examinations in the Russian Federation in 2022 was lower by the factor of 3 compared to the previous assessment based on the effective dose with the nominal risk coefficient.

EOSedge vs. standard digital radiography: image quality and dose exposure in hip-focused scanning.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the image quality and X-ray exposure dose from EOSedge versus standard digital radiography (SDR) focused on the hip for replacement or prosthesis revision surgery. MATERIALS & METHODS: This prospective single centre study included 97 patients between November 2022 and April 2023. For preoperative assessment, SDR radiographs from frontal pelvic and hip profile were indispensable. Often, surgeon requested spine radiograph from EOSedge, to which we added frontal pelvic and hip profile. A radiologist with 4 years' experience established a score based on European guidelines to evaluate the EOSedge versus SDR image quality. Quality scores (QS) were compared using paired Student's t test. The entrance skin dose (ESD) and dose area product (DAP) of the images were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 97 patients, including 49 women and 48 men (mean 68.10 years ± 13.28) were assessed. The QSEOSedge was significantly higher than the QSSDR, with differences of 1.34 ± 1.90 (p < 0.001) and 1.74 ± 1.90 (p < 0.001), respectively. The difference in total QS was 3.08 ± 3.48 (p < 0.001). The radiation delivered (ESD x DAP) by EOSedge was 29 times lower than that delivered by SDR for frontal pelvic imaging (0.35 ± 0.91 versus 10.20 ± 12.63; p < 0.001) and 17 times lower for hip profile imaging (0.41 ± 0.84 versus 6.91 ± 9.70; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study highlighted the superior image quality of EOSedge images focused on the pelvis and hip compared to SDR, with significantly less radiation exposure.

Looking at the gender disparity in interventional radiology: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: The underrepresentation of women within interventional radiology (IR) is profound. This scoping review aims to evaluate the current literature on gender disparity within IR. To uncover relevant themes and research gaps to inform future research and to recommend changes aimed at increasing application and retention of women in IR. METHODS: A review of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science was conducted. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to gather all relevant literature. Thematic analysis of included literature highlighted themes and commonalities between papers. RESULTS: Of 396 articles, only 15 met the inclusion criteria. Many papers were excluded due to their lack of relevance to the topic. Thematic analysis identified 6 themes radiation exposure, mentorship, male dominance, work-life balance, research, and early exposure to IR. CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations relating to each theme have been made. Establishing a high-quality mentoring scheme, for medical students, is the priority. Followed by accurate information, regarding radiation safety and teaching opportunities provided by medical schools and placement trusts, to demonstrate the value of IR and the need for a representative workforce. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: With little research based primarily within the United Kingdom, this review has amalgamated results from papers published internationally to highlight potential factors influencing the gender disparity within IR. Realistic recommendations and future points of research aimed at creating gender parity that are appropriate towards both the United Kingdom and global institutions have been suggested.

Radiation exposure to patients undergoing percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography: an advanced phantom study.

Fluoroscopic examinations like Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography (PTC) are fundamental in diagnosing and treating hepatobiliary diseases. However, these procedures expose patients to significant radiation, highlighting the need for a detailed assessment of the radiation doses received by critical organs. The study's primary objective is to determine the experimental doses received by critical organs in patients undergoing these procedures. This study utilized an Alderson RANDO phantom outfitted with Thermoluminescent Dosemeters (TLDs) to experimentally measure the radiation doses received by various organs during ERCP and PTC procedures. This method provided direct and accurate data on organ-specific radiation exposure, contrasting with the traditional approach of relying on theoretical simulations. The analysis revealed that PTC generally results in higher radiation doses to organs compared to ERCP. Critical organs, such as the thyroid, spleen, liver, pancreas, ovaries, and uterus, were exposed to varying levels of radiation, with the thyroid and spleen receiving particularly high doses in PTC. The study also demonstrated that the per-minute radiation exposure was consistently higher in PTC across all examined organs. The study's findings underscore the significant radiation exposure associated with ERCP and PTC, with PTC posing a greater risk. Understanding these exposure levels is crucial for clinical decision-making, particularly when considering patients' pre-existing conditions and sensitivity to radiation. The study highlights the need for clinicians to carefully weigh the benefits of ERCP and PTC against the potential radiological risks. It suggests a preference for ERCP in situations where radiation exposure needs to be minimized. Furthermore, the findings advocate for ongoing advancements in medical imaging techniques to reduce radiation exposure, emphasizing the importance of patient safety in fluoroscopic examinations. This research contributes significantly to informed clinical decision-making, ensuring that the selection of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures aligns with the best interest of patient health and safety.

Assessment of foetal dose and occupational exposure for pregnant workers in nuclear medicine using the Taiwanese pregnancy phantom.

For pregnant workers in nuclear medicine, radiation doses can pose a risk to their foetus. However, foetal radiation doses cannot be measured directly. In this study, a method of estimating foetal radiation doses was developed through simulations and measurements of phantoms of pregnant women in the three trimesters. The uterus and abdominal surface doses for monoenergetic photons (137Cs) and medical diagnostic X-rays were measured, and uterine dose conversion coefficients (UDCCs) were calculated. The accuracy of the UDCC estimates were validated for measurements from thermoluminescent dosemeter (TLD) chips and TLD badges on the abdomen or chest. The foetal effective dose could be estimated using TLD chips and TLD badges on the abdomen or chest, or through literature estimation method. The proposed method can be used to easily and accurately estimate foetal effective doses from chest-worn TLD badges, ensuring accurate estimation in the early stage of pregnancy when a worker may not yet be wearing an abdominal badge. A flowchart for applying the UDCC method to approximate a foetal dose is also provided to ensure that total doses remain below the maximum of 1 mSv recommended in the International Commission on Radiological Protection 103 guidelines.

Radiological assessment of radon in groundwater of the northernmost Kashmir Basin, northwestern Himalaya.

This study investigates the radon concentration in groundwater in Kupwara, the northernmost district of the Kashmir valley. It further assesses the annual effective dose experienced by the district's diverse population-infants, children, and adults-attributable to both inhalation of airborne radon released from drinking water and direct ingestion. In addition to this, the calculation of gamma dose rate is also carried out at each of the sampling site of radon. A portable radon-thoron monitor and a portable gamma radiation detector were respectively employed to estimate the activity concentration of radon in water samples and to measure the gamma dose rate. The radon concentration was found to exhibit variability from a minimum of 2.9 BqL-1 to a maximum of 197.2 BqL-1, with a mean of 26.3 BqL-1 and a standard deviation of 23.3 BqL-1. From a total of 85 samples, 10.6% of the samples had radon activity concentrations exceeding the permissible limits of 40 BqL-1 set by the United Nations Scientific Committee on Effects of Atomic Radiations as reported by UNSCEAR (Sources and effects of ionizing radiation, 2008) and only 1.2% of the samples have radon activity concentration exceeding the permissible limits of 100 BqL-1 set by the World Health Organization as reported by WHO (WHO guidelines for drinking-water quality, World Health Organization, Geneva, 2008). The mean of the annual effective dose due to inhalation for all age groups as well as the annual ingestion dose for infants and children, surpasses the World Health Organization's limit of 100 µSv y-1 as reported by WHO (WHO guidelines for drinking-water quality, World Health Organization, Geneva, 2008). The observed gamma radiation dose rate in the vicinity of groundwater radon sites ranged from a minimum of 138 nSv h-1 to a maximum of 250 nSv h-1. The data indicated no significant correlation between the dose rate of gamma radiation and the radon levels in the groundwater. Radon concentration of potable water in the study area presents a non-negligible exposure pathway for residents. Therefore, the judicious application of established radon mitigation techniques is pivotal to minimize public health vulnerabilities.

BAX and DDB2 as biomarkers for acute radiation exposure in the human blood ex vivo and non-human primate models.

There are currently no available FDA-cleared biodosimetry tools for rapid and accurate assessment of absorbed radiation dose following a radiation/nuclear incident. Previously we developed a protein biomarker-based FAST-DOSE bioassay system for biodosimetry. The aim of this study was to integrate an ELISA platform with two high-performing FAST-DOSE biomarkers, BAX and DDB2, and to construct machine learning models that employ a multiparametric biomarker strategy for enhancing the accuracy of exposure classification and radiation dose prediction. The bioassay showed 97.92% and 96% accuracy in classifying samples in human and non-human primate (NHP) blood samples exposed ex vivo to 0-5 Gy X-rays, respectively up to 48 h after exposure, and an adequate correlation between reconstructed and actual dose in the human samples (R2 = 0.79, RMSE = 0.80 Gy, and MAE = 0.63 Gy) and NHP (R2 = 0.80, RMSE = 0.78 Gy, and MAE = 0.61 Gy). Biomarker measurements in vivo from four NHPs exposed to a single 2.5 Gy total body dose showed a persistent upregulation in blood samples collected on days 2 and 5 after irradiation. The data indicates that using a combined approach of targeted proteins can increase bioassay sensitivity and provide a more accurate dose prediction.

The radiation protection behavior of medical workers: A scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Radiation exposure in medical settings stands as the primary source of artificial radiation, compounded by the yearly rise in healthcare worker numbers. Ensuring radiation protection is crucial for safeguarding their occupational health. Nevertheless, existing studies on radiation protection behavior exhibit considerable heterogeneity due to various factors. OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aims to explore the current status of research on radiation protection behavior and identify research gaps, intending to guide future research directions. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The scoping review will follow the Arksey and O'Malley framework and the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. A systematic search will be conducted across English databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Medline, as well as Chinese databases such as CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and China Biomedical Literature Database. Two independent reviewers will screen the studies based on predefined eligibility criteria and extract the data. Any disagreements will be resolved through discussion by a third reviewer. The review will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS STUDY: A stakeholder consultation will provide an opportunity to validate the findings and address any potential gaps in the article. In this scoping review, all types of studies will be considered. The effectiveness of the methodological quality of the included studies will not be reported, which may lead to some studies of poor quality being included. Only studies published in English or Chinese after 2010 will be considered in this review, potentially leading to the omission of relevant papers.

Impact of surface ultraviolet radiation intensity on hospital admissions for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke: A large-scale database study using distributed lag nonlinear analysis, 2015-2022, in Harbin, China.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim is to evaluate the impact of surface ultraviolet radiation intensity on hospital admissions for stroke and to compare the correlation and differences among different subtypes of strokes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected daily data on surface ultraviolet radiation intensity, temperature, air pollution, and hospital admissions for stroke in Harbin from 2015 to 2022. Using a distributed lag non-linear model, we determined the correlation between daily surface ultraviolet radiation intensity and the stroke admission rate. Relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and attributable fractions (AF) with 95% CI were calculated based on stroke subtypes, gender, and age groups. RESULTS: A total of 132,952 hospitalized stroke cases (including hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes) were included in the study. We assessed the non-linear effects of ultraviolet intensity on hospitalized patients with ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. Compared to the maximum morbidity benchmark ultraviolet intensity (19.2 × 10^5 for ischemic stroke and 20.25 for hemorrhagic stroke), over the 0-10 day lag period, the RR for extreme low radiation (1st percentile) was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.77, 0.96), and the RR for extreme high radiation (99th percentile) was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.77, 0.96). In summary, -4.842% (95% CI: -7.721%, -2.167%) and -1.668% (95% CI: -3.061%, -0.33%) of ischemic strokes were attributed to extreme low radiation intensity with a lag of 0 to 10 days and extreme high radiation intensity with a lag of 0 to 5 days, respectively. The reduction in stroke hospitalization rates due to low or high ultraviolet intensity was more pronounced in females and younger individuals compared to males and older individuals. None of the mentioned ultraviolet intensity intensities and lag days had a statistically significant impact on hemorrhagic stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Our study fundamentally suggests that both lower and higher levels of surface ultraviolet radiation intensity in Harbin, China, contribute to a reduced incidence of ischemic stroke, with this effect lasting approximately 10 days. This finding holds significant potential for public health and clinical relevance.

Early lymphocyte levels and low doses radiation exposure of lung predict lymphopenia in radiotherapy for lung cancer.

Introduction: Radiation induced lymphopenia (RIL) deteriorate survival and diminishes the benefit of immune checkpoint inhibitors in combined treatment of lung cancer. Given the inconsistent data across various studies on the predictors of RIL, we aim to methodically elucidate these predictors and formulate a practical guide for clinicians. Methods: We conducted observational cohort study in four tertiary cancer centers. Patients with non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer, without lymphopenia grade >1, who underwent standalone radiotherapy (RT) in minimum 15 fractions were eligible. Dose-volume parameters of structures and clinical factors were comprehensively analyzed using various predictors selection methods and statistical models (Linear Regressors, Elastic Net, Bayesian Regressors, Huber Regression, regression based on k-nearest neighbors, Gaussian Process Regressor, Decision Tree Regressor, Random Forest Regressor, eXtreme Gradient Boosting, Automated Machine Learning) and were ranked to predict lymphocytes count nadir (alc_nadir). Results: Two hundred thirty eight patients (stage I-3.4%, II-17.6%, III-75.2%, IV-3.8%) who underwent RT to median dose of 60 Gy were analyzed. Median alc_nadir was 0.68K/mm3. The 60 feature sets were evaluated in 600 models (RMSE 0.27-0.41K/mm³). The most important features were baseline lymphocyte count (alc_1), mean lung_dose, lung v05, lung v10, heart v05 and effective dose to immune cells (edic). In patients with alc_1 ≤ 2.005K/mm3, median alc_nadir predictions were 0.54K/mm3 for lung_v05p > 51.8% and 0.76K/mm3 for lung_v05p ≤ 51.8%. Lymphopenia was rare in patients with alc_1 > 2.005K/mm3. Discussion: RIL was most severe in patients with low early lymphocyte counts, primarily triggered by low RT doses in the heart and lungs.

Radiation exposure of the glandular mammary tissue in women patients with mediastinal Hodgkin lymphoma treated with protons.

PURPOSE: Secondary breast cancer is a frequent late adverse event of mediastinal Hodgkin lymphoma radiotherapy. Secondary breast cancers overwhelmingly correspond to ductal carcinoma and develop from the glandular mammary tissue. In addition, during childhood, radiation overexposure of the glandular tissue may lead to a late breast hypotrophy at adult age. The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiation exposure to the glandular tissue in patients treated for mediastinal Hodgkin lymphoma with intensity-modulated proton therapy, in order to evaluate the potential dosimetric usefulness of its delineation for breast sparing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen consecutive intermediate-risk mediastinal female patients with Hodgkin lymphoma treated with consolidation radiation with deep inspiration breath hold intensity-modulated proton therapy to the total dose of 30Gy were included. Breasts were delineated according to the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology guidelines for treatment optimization ("clinical organ at risk"). The glandular tissue ("glandular organ at risk") was retrospectively contoured on the initial simulation CT scans based on Hounsfield unit (HU) values, using a range between -80HU and 500HU. RESULTS: The mean and maximum doses delivered to the glandular organ at risk were significantly lower than the mean and maximum doses delivered to the clinical organ at risk, but were statistically correlated. Glandular organ at risk volumes were significantly smaller. CONCLUSION: Optimizing the treatment plans on the clinical breast contours will systematically lead to overestimation of the dose received to the glandular tissue and, consequently, to an indistinct and involuntary improved glandular tissue sparing. As such, our findings do not support the consideration of the glandular tissue as an additional organ at risk when planning intensity-modulated proton therapy for mediastinal Hodgkin lymphoma in female patients.

Organ dose equivalents of albedo protons and neutrons under exposure to large solar particle events during lunar human landing missions.

Astronauts participating in lunar landing missions will encounter exposure to albedo particles emitted from the lunar surface as well as primary high-energy particles in the spectra of galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) and solar particle events (SPEs). While existing studies have examined particle energy spectra and absorbed doses in limited radiation exposure scenarios on and near the Moon, comprehensive research encompassing various shielding amounts and large SPEs on the lunar surface remains lacking. Additionally, detailed organ dose equivalents of albedo particles in a human model on the lunar surface have yet to be investigated. This work assesses the organ dose equivalents of albedo neutrons and albedo protons during historically large SPEs in August 1972 and September 1989 utilizing realistic computational anthropomorphic human phantom for the first time. Dosimetric quantities within human organs have been evaluated based on the PHITS Monte Carlo simulation results and quality factors of the state-of-the-art NASA Space Cancer Risk (NSCR) model, as well as ICRP publications. The results with the NSCR model indicate that the albedo contribution to organ dose equivalent is less than 3 % for 1 g/cm2 aluminum shielding, while it increases to more than 30 % in some organs for 50 g/cm2 aluminum shielding during exposure to low-energy-proton-rich SPEs.

Reparative effects after low-dose radiation exposure: Inhibition of atherosclerosis by reducing NETs release.

OBJECTIVE: The cardiovascular system effects of environmental low-dose radiation exposure on radiation practitioners remain uncertain and require further investigation. The aim of this study was to initially investigate and explore the mechanisms by which low-dose radiation may contribute to atherosclerosis through a multi-omics joint comprehensive basic experiment. METHODS: We used WGCNA and differential analyses to identify shared genes and potential pathways between radiation injury and atherosclerosis sequencing datasets, as well as tissue transcriptome immune infiltration level extrapolation and single-cell transcriptome data correction using the CIBERSORT deconvolution algorithm. Animal models were constructed by combining a high-fat diet with 5 Gy γ-ray whole-body low-dose ionizing radiation. The detection of NETs release was validated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Analysis reveals shared genes in both datasets of post-irradiation and atherosclerosis, suggesting that immune system neutrophils may be a key node connecting radiation to atherosclerosis. NETs released by neutrophil death can influence the development of atherosclerosis. Animal experiments showed that the number of neutrophils decreased (P < 0.05) and the concentration of NETs reduced after low-dose radiation compared with the control group, and the concentration of NETs significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the HF group. Endothelial plaques were significantly increased in the high-fat feed group and significantly decreased in the low-dose radiation group compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term low-dose ionizing radiation exposure stimulates neutrophils and inhibits their production of NETs, resulting in inhibition of atherosclerosis.

Monitoring of surgical staff x-ray exposure in the operating room with DosiBadge.

Surgical procedures involving the use of x-rays in the operating room (OR) have increased in recent years, thereby increasing the exposure of OR staff to ionizing radiation. An individual dosimeter makes it possible to record the radiation exposure to which these personnel are exposed, but there is a lack of compliance in the wearing of these dosimeters for several practical reasons. This makes the dose results obtained unreliable. To try to improve the rate of dosimeter wearing in the OR, the Dosibadge project studied the association of the individual dosimeter with the hospital access badge, forming the Dosibadge. Through a study performed at the Tours University Hospital in eight different ORs for two consecutive periods of 3 months. The results show a significant increase in the systematic use of the dosimeter thanks to the Dosibadge, which improves the reliability of the doses obtained on the dosimeters and the monitoring of personnel. The increase is especially marked with clinicians. Following these results and the very positive feedback to this first single-centre study, we are then planning a second multicentre study to validate our proof of concept on different sites, with the three brands of individual dosimeters used in France i.e. dosimeters supplied by Dosilab; Landauer and IRSN.

Assessment and mitigation of radiation hazard for individuals engaged in reconnaissance survey in uranium exploration in Jharkhand, India.

The present study attempts to obtain an a priori estimate of the absorbed dose received by an individual engaged in the reconnaissance survey in Uranium exploration using a predictive mathematical regression analysis. Other radiation safety parameters such as excess lifetime cancer risk are also calculated. Study reflects that the proper handling of naturally occurring radioactive materials accounts for an absorbed dose significantly less than the prescribed limit.

Studies on uranium concentration in groundwater samples and its associated health hazards to the residents of surrounding regions of Manchanabele reservoir, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.

Uranium occurs naturally in groundwater and surface water. Being a radioactive element, high uranium concentration can cause impact on human health. The health effects associated with consumption of uranium through water includes increased cancer risk and kidney toxicity. In view of this, an attempt was made in the present study to establish the level of radiological and chemical toxicity of uranium. Radiological toxicity was evaluated in terms of lifetime cancer risk and chemical toxicity through hazard quotient. For the said purpose, groundwater samples from the selected villages of the surrounding region of the Manchanabele reservoir, southwest of Bengaluru, were collected. The collected groundwater samples were analysed for Uranium mass concentration using Light emitting diode (LED) fluorimeter and is found to range from 0.88 to 581.47 ppb with a GM of 20.82 ppb. The result reveals that ~ 66% of the samples show concentration of uranium within the safe limit of 30 ppb as set by the World Health Organisation. The radiological risk estimated in terms of lifetime cancer risk is in the range of 0.0028 × 10-3 to 1.85 × 10-3 with a GM of 0.066 × 10-3. The chemical toxicity risk measured as lifetime annual daily dose is found to range from 0.03 to 21.65 µg per kg per d with a GM of 0.77 µg per kg per d.