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Evaluation of the photoneutron field produced in a medical linear accelerator.

The doses and spectra of photoneutrons produced in a medical linear accelerator with photon energies of 10 and 15 MV were evaluated. The Monte Carlo code, MCNPX, was used to simulate the transport of these photoneutrons around the head for 10 and 15 MV photons. The fully-described geometry of the accelerator head was used in this calculation. The photoneutron energy spectra and doses for various photon field sizes were calculated at each of 20 positions. The results indicate that the maximum dose equivalents are observed in 20 x 20 cm(2) case among photon fields. It was found the neutron average energy at isocenter for a 0 x 0 cm(2) field is 0.38 MeV for 10 MV and is 0.45 MeV for 15 MV. The neutron doses at 10 positions around the head in the treatment room of the operation facility at 10 and 15 MV were measured using the bubble detectors. Measurements were compared with the calculations under the same geometry in the experiment. It was found that the majority of the calculated results agreed to within the standard deviations of the measurements. These above results can be applied in the verification of maximum allowed neutron leakage percentage of treatment dose defined in the IEC. We have been employing them to derive the empirical formula for neutron dose equivalent level at the maze entrance of medical accelerator treatment rooms in a study that is still underway.

Algorithms↗

Workplace characterisation in case of rail transport of radioactive materials.

IRSN has been asked by SNCF (French Railways) to carry out measurements in order to establish the values of ambient dose equivalents H*(10) in the vicinity of shipments of radioactive materials to assess the external exposure to ionising radiation to which employees may be subjected during the carriage of radioactive goods. Detailed dosimetric characterisations of the wagons have been made and the external exposure at different stages of the work that is done by the employees have been measured in terms of H*(10). For the study presented in this paper, and corresponding to a used fuel shipment composed of UO2 and UO2-PuO2, it has been observed that the photon and neutron doses are very similar. In addition, the order of magnitude of the total dose integrated by an employee who would carry out 100 times the series of essential operational tasks, has been found to be approximately 250 microSv. This value is compared with those observed for other previously investigated shipments involving the exposure to photon fields only.

Body Burden↗

Determination of the full response function of personal neutron dosemeters.

The response of neutron dosemeters may be determined directly from measurements, provided a sufficiently large number of measurements in monoenergetic neutron fields covering the entire energy range of interest is available. In practice this is not feasible due to the lack of monoenergetic neutron fields in the thermal and intermediate energy region (i.e. energies<24 keV). To deal with this difficulty, we have developed a method which can take into account additional information about the response of the dosemeter. Our analysis makes use of two types of data, measurements made using monoenergetic neutron beams and measurements made in neutron fields with broad energy distributions. The dosemeter responses are described using a parametrised model, based on a minimum of assumptions: that they should fit the data within experimental uncertainties, and that they should remain close to a simple interpolation of the monoenergetic and thermal neutron field data.

Algorithms↗

IMBA Professional Plus: a flexible approach to internal dosimetry.

IMBA (Integrated Modules for Bioassay Analysis) is a suite of software modules that implement the current ICRP biokinetic and dosimetric models for estimation of intakes and doses. The IMBA modules have gone through extensive quality assurance, and are now used for routine formal dose assessment by Approved Dosimetry Services throughout the UK. HPA has continued to develop the IMBA modules. In addition, several projects, sponsored by organisations both in the USA and in Canada, have resulted in the development of customised user-friendly interfaces (IMBA Expert 'editions'). These enable users not only to use the standard ICRP models, but also to change many of the parameter values from ICRP defaults, and to apply sophisticated data handling techniques to internal dose calculations. These include: fitting measurement data with the maximum likelihood method; using multiple chronic and acute intakes; and dealing with different data types, such as urine, faces and whole body simultaneously. These interfaces were improved further as a result of user-feedback, and a general 'off-the-shelf' product, IMBA Professional, was developed and made available in January 2004. A new version, IMBA Professional Plus, was released in April 2005, which is both faster and more powerful than previous software. The aim of this paper is to describe the capabilities of IMBA Professional Plus, and the mathematical methods used.

Algorithms↗

Performance of a personal neutron dosemeter based on direct ion storage at workplace fields in the nuclear industry.

In the framework of the EVIDOS project, funded by the EC, measurements were carried out using dosemeters, based on ionisation chambers with direct ion storage (DIS-N), at several workplace fields, namely, at a fuel processing plant, a boiling and a pressurised water reactor, and near transport and storage casks. The measurements and results obtained with the DIS-N in these workplaces, which are representative for the nuclear industry, are described in this study. Different dosemeter configurations of converter and shielding materials were considered. The results are compared with values for personal dose equivalent which were assessed within the EVIDOS project by other partners. The advantages and limitations of the DIS-N dosemeter are discussed.

Equipment Design↗

Determination of conversion factors from air kerma to operational dose equivalent quantities for low-energy X-ray spectra.

The conversion coefficients from air kerma to ICRU operational dose equivalent quantities for STUK's realisation of the X-radiation qualities N-15 to N-60 of the ISO narrow (N) spectrum series were determined by utilising X-ray spectrum measurements. The pulse-height spectra were measured using a planar high-purity germanium spectrometer and unfolded to fluence spectra using Monte Carlo generated data of the spectrometer response. To verify the measuring and unfolding method, the first and second half-value layers and the air kerma rate were calculated from the fluence spectra and compared with the values measured using an ionisation chamber. For each radiation quality, the spectrum was characterised by the parameters given in ISO 4037-1. The conversion coefficients from the air kerma to the ICRU operational quantities Hp(10), Hp(0.07), H'(0.07) and H*(10) were calculated using monoenergetic conversion coefficients at zero angle of incidence. The results are discussed with respect to ISO 4037-4, and compared with published results for low-energy X-ray spectra.

Air↗

Cytogenetic methods for biodosimetry and risk individualisation after exposure to ionising radiation.

Measurement of dicentric chromosomes in human lymphocytes has been applied to assess dose received by potentially overexposed people and estimate risk for health effects. Since the dicentrics in exposed people decrease with time, the introduction of fluorescent in situ hybridisation enables to measure stable translocations for biodosimetry and address old or long-term exposures. In addition, premature chromosome condensation, which enables analysis in interphase, offers several advantages for biodosimetry. However, dose and risk estimates derived using cytogenetics and adequate calibration curves are based on the assumption that all individuals respond equally to radiation. Since increased radiosensitivity has been associated with cancer proneness, there is particular interest for risk assessment at the individual level. Towards this end, the efficiency of dynamics that govern DNA repair and apoptosis, as well as the conserved cellular processes that have evolved to facilitate DNA damage recognition using signal transduction pathways to activate cell cycle arrest and preserve genomic integrity, are being investigated. Recent work in cancer cytogenetics and on the modulation of radiation effects at the chromosome level using changes in gene expression associated with proteins or factors such as caffeine or amifostine treatment during G(2) to M-phase transition, reconfirmed the importance of G(2) chekpoint in determining radiosensitivity and of the cdk1/cyclin-B activity in the conversion of DNA damage into chromatid breaks. G(2)-chromosomal radiosensitivity may offer, therefore, a basis for the identification or testing of key genetic targets for modulation of radiation effects and the establishment of a screening method to detect intrinsic radiosensitivity.

Biological Assay↗

Calibration, performance and type testing of personal dosemeters used in ionising-radiation applications in Greece.

Active Personal Dosemeters (APDs) are widely used in real-time personal dosimetry. Their performance, operational characteristics and limitations, as well as their calibration should be routinely checked to assure satisfactory operation and safe use. This study summarises the results of such type tests and calibrations performed in almost 4750 dosemeters at Ionising Radiation Calibration Laboratory (HIRCL) of Greek Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC). About 13.8% of the pencil type and 4.3% of the electronic dosemeters were found to be out of limits of acceptable performance. For the pencil type dosemeters, the mean calibration factor (CF+/-SD) for high- and low-dose categories was found to be 1.014+/-0.102 (range 0.793-1.458) and 0.995+/-0.059 (range 0.794-1.311), respectively. Of these >85% of them had reproducibility better than 90%, while <1% showed remarkable non-linearity and approximately 10% of them failed to retain the dose reading within the limits after 24 h. For the electronic dosemeters, the mean CF was 1.034+/-0.046 (range 0.967-1.238). The majority of them showed good reproducibility and linearity results while, after irradiation, the dose readings were not shifted through time. The energy response varies with the dosemeter type, reaching in one dosemeter type down to 50%. Both electronic and pencil did not showed electronic equilibrium problems.

Body Burden↗

Compliance of electronic personal neutron dosemeters with the new International Standard IEC 61526.

The recommendations and test requests for the dose equivalent response of personal neutron dosemeters formulated by the new International Standard IEC 61526 are summarised. In particular, IEC 61526 allows the use of broad fields if dosemeters do not fulfil the hard requirements using monoenergetic neutrons. Some broad fields which can work as a replacement field using ISO sources (252Cf, 252Cf (D2O mod.), 241Am-Be) and simulated workplace fields (CANEL and SIGMA) are described. This work shows the results of recent measurements of the personal dose equivalent response for the dosemeters Thermo Electron EPD-N2, Aloka PDM-313 and the prototype dosemeter PTB DOS-2002, and discusses their compliance with respect to the new IEC 61526 standard.

Electronics↗

Application of morphological and physiological parameters representative of a Brazilian population sample in the respiratory tract model.

The human respiratory tract model (HRTM) adopted by ICRP in its Publication 66 accounts for the morphology and physiology of the respiratory tract. The characteristics of air drawn into the lungs and exhaled are greatly influenced by the morphology of the respiratory tract, which causes numerous changes in pressure, flow rate, direction and humidity as air moves into and out of the lungs. These characteristics are important to determine the fractional deposition. It is known that the morphology and physiology are influenced by environmental, occupational and economic conditions. The ICRP recommends, for a reliable evaluation of the regional deposition, the use of parameters from a local population wherever such information is available. The main purpose of this study is to verify the influence of using the morphology and physiology parameters representative of a sample of the Brazilian population on the deposition model of the ICRP Publication 66 model.

Algorithms↗

Optimization of doses received by the hospital staff and the members of the family of patients undergoing 111In-DTPA-D-Phe1-Octreotide therapy.

According to the Euratom Directives (96/29, 97/43), the doses received by the workers as well as the family of patients and third persons during medical exposures, should conform to the dose constraint levels (DCLs), established by the authorities for each group in the context of optimisation. This study deals with the implementation of a radiation protection protocol, concerning the aforementioned group members for patients undergoing treatment with 111In-DTPA-D-Phe1-Octreotide, after intra-arterial infusion. It is shown that by applying this protocol the annual doses to the medical and technical staff are considerably reduced and remain below the established DCLs. Following the post-release behaviour instructions given to the patient, doses to the family and third persons may be kept lower than the corresponding DCLs provided by the National Regulations.

Equipment Design↗

A comparative study on the susceptibility of LiF:Mg,Ti (TLD-100) and LiF:Mg,Cu,P (TLD-100H) to spurious signals in thermoluminescence dosimetry.

It is well known that spurious signals can occur in thermoluminescence dosimetry (TLD) whenever contaminants (i.e. dirt, oil, dust) are present on the surface of the TLD card or crystal during the read-out process. For TLD cards, the Teflon material can also contribute to the background noise and this contribution has been found to depend on the material's light absorption. These non-radiation-induced signals contribute to the total light output during TLD read-out and can lead to incorrect dosimetry especially for low-dose measurements such as personal dosimetry. However, these spurious signals are generally in the low-temperature channels and are mostly accompanied by abnormal glow curves. Most of the published reports dealing with this type of spurious TL signal are on the LiF:Mg,Ti (TLD-100) material. The relatively new TLD material, LiF:Mg,Cu,P, is more sensitive and has higher signal-to-noise ratio than the traditional LiF:Mg,Ti. In this study, the effects of disturbing signals to the LiF:Mg,Cu,P (TLD-100H) cards used in personal dosimetry are investigated and compared with those of LiF:Mg,Ti (TLD-100).

Artifacts↗

ALARA study of teaching effectiveness on reducing radiation exposure.

The purpose of this study was to measure the effectiveness of radiation safety instruction and the impact on radiation film badge levels. A convenience sample of 144 endoscopy nurses and technicians was pretested for radiation safety knowledge, given a course in radiation safety, and then posttested immediately after the course and then 6 months later. Radiation badges were analyzed for radiation exposure at preinstruction, 1 month postinstruction, and 6 months postinstruction. Results showed that the instruction was effective. There was only a slight decrease in radiation badge readings; the decrease, however, was not statistically significant.

Adult↗