Rediation Protection in Dignostic Radiology

Medical use of x-rays for diagnosis and treatment has proven to be immensely beneficial to society at large. However, unsafe use of x-ray radiation has health risks associated with it, and hence it is required that proper care is exercised throughout the life cycle of the equipment i.e. from the manufacture, supply, installation, use, maintenance, servicing, and ultimately decommissioning.
The Atomic Energy (Radiation Protection) Rules, 2004 in India [AE(RP)R-2004], promulgated under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, provides the legal framework for the safe handling of radiation generating equipment.
In radiation protection, the guiding philosophy is ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable), and states have regulatory authority. Dose limits are in part based on effective dose equivalent and differences in tissue sensitivities. In diagnostic radiology, the main source of an occupation dose is scattered radiation from the patient--particularly from fluoroscopically guided procedures. Personnel stands near patients for long times, and angulated geometries with C-arm equipment may result in high personnel doses from backscatter. For all procedures, judicious applications of time, distance, and shielding effect dose. Appropriate use includes collimating properly, optimizing beam-on time, minimizing distances between image intensifier and patient, ensuring sufficient distance between patient and x-ray tube, and optimizing exposure rates for image quality and dose. Although dose limits typically regulate maximum whole-body dose, protective clothing worn by fluoroscopists reduces personnel risks; weighting factors can be applied to estimate effective dose equivalent. Pregnant personnel has lower limits, which apply only with the voluntary declaration of pregnancy. With appropriate precautions, fetal doses can typically remain within recommended limits without changes in occupational tasks. Radiation workers in each state must ensure that regulations are appropriate. Then, for the protection of both employees and employers, the rules can and must be followed.