Abstract
Nuclear medicine involves the handling of unsealed radiation sources. Occupational monitoring in nuclear medicine thus includes assessment of both external irradiation of the body and internal exposure due to inhalation or ingestion of radioactive substances. However, when appropriate radiation protection measures are applied, the annual effective dose of nuclear medicine staff is low (around 2–3 mSv). However, hand doses can be very high and even exceed the regulatory limit for skin equivalent dose, without workers being aware of it. This chapter provides an overview of basic concepts, regulation, and problems associated with occupational monitoring in nuclear medicine. It presents the main results of the FP7 European Project, ORAMED, within the field of extremity dosimetry of nuclear medicine staff and proposes recommendations in order to improve radiation protection in occupational exposure in nuclear medicine.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Radiation Protection in Nuclear Medicine |
Place of Publication | Germany |
Publisher | Springer Berlin Heidelberg |
Pages | 93-108 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Edition | 1 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9783642311673 |
ISBN (Print) | 9783642311666 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2013 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine