• Title/Summary/Keyword: Occupational Radiation Exposure

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Development of the Numerical Guide for Cost-Benefit Analysis of Occupational Radiation Exposure In the Korean Next Generation Reactor

  • Sohn, Ki-Yoon;Kang, Chang-Sun
    • Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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    • v.29 no.1
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    • pp.78-84
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    • 1997
  • The specific purpose of this study is to develop the numerical guide for the cost-benefit analysis of ORE ($/person-Sv reduction) to meet the criterion of ALARA in the design stage of the KNGR. In deriving the guide, the risk factor which is defined by the risk to unit collective radiation exposure dose (deaths/person-Sv) and the monetary value of human life ($/death) are required. The risk factor has been estimated from various clinical data accumulated for a number of years and continuously modified. And the monetary value of human life is usually quantified using the human capital approach. In this study, the risk to radiation exposure perceived by a group of people is investigated through an extensive poll survey conducted among university students in order to modify the existing risk factor for radiation exposure. And in evaluating the monetary value of human life, the QOL factor is introduced in order to incorporate the degree of public welfare or quality of life. As a result of study, a value within the range of 151, 000~172, 000 dollars per person-Sv reduction is recommended as the appropriate interim numerical guide for cost-benefit analysis of ORE to meet the criterion of ALARA in the design stage of the KNGR. A poll survey was also conducted in order to see whether the public acceptance cost of nuclear power should be incorporated in developing the guide, and the result of study shooed that such a cost does not need to be considered.

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Level of radiation dose in university hospital non-insured private health screening programs in Korea

  • Lee, Yun-Keun
    • Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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    • v.31
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    • pp.7.1-7.6
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    • 2016
  • Objectives The aim of this study is to evaluate radiation exposure resulting from the comprehensive health examinations of selected university hospital programs and to present basic data for research and management strategies on the health effects of medical radiation exposure. Methods Radiation-based diagnostic studies of the comprehensive health examination programs of ten university hospitals in Seoul, Korea, as introduced in their websites, were analyzed. The medical radiation studies of the programs were reviewed by radiologists. Only the effective doses of the basic studies were included in the analysis. The optional studies of the programs were excluded. Results Among the 190 comprehensive health examination programs, 132 programs (69.5%) included computed tomography studies, with an average of 1.4 scans. The average effective dose of radiation by program was 3.62 mSv for an intensive program for specific diseases; 11.12 mSv for an intensive program for cancer; 18.14 mSv for a premium program; and 24.08 mSv for an overnight program. A higher cost of a programs was linked to a higher effective dose (r=0.812). The effective doses of the examination programs for the same purposes differed by as much as 2.1 times by hospital. Inclusion of positron emission tomography-computed tomography was the most critical factor in determining the level of effective dose. Conclusions It was found that radiation exposure dose from comprehensive health exam programs targeted for an asymptomatic, healthy public reached between 3.6 and 24 times the annual dose limit for the general public. Relevant management policies at the national level should be provided to minimize medical radiation exposure.

A Study on Perceptions by College Students of Radiology about the Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors of Radiation Exposure Management (방사선과 대학생이 방사선피폭관리에 대한 지식, 태도, 행위에 관한 연구)

  • Yeo, Jindong;Ko, Inho;Kim, Hye-Sook
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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    • v.9 no.2
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    • pp.79-99
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    • 2015
  • Participants of this study were students of radiology who were attending colleges or universities located in Daegu and Gyeongbuk. This researcher conducted a questionnaire survey of those students from Feb. 3rd to 21st, 2014. The findings of the study can be summarized as follows. 1. Concerning the knowledge of radiation exposure management, the respondents' scores were highest in two items, or 'Materials based on lead or concrete may shield X-rays' and 'The sexual gland is very sensitive to radiation' and lowest in the item which says' 'Occupational radiation exposure dose should not exceed 20mSv a year in average on a 5-year period basis'. 2. The participants' scores for the attitudes of radiation exposure management were higher in two items, or 'Health examination should be made regularly in relation to radiation exposure' and 'Those who work within the area of irradiation should wear protective clothes' and lowest in the item which says 'Radiation exposure dose should be regularly measured for the calibration of the radiation system'. 3. For the behaviors of radiation exposure management, the surveyed students showed highest scores in two items, or 'When irradiating the patient, the radiator should be behind the protective barrier(plate)' and 'It is needed to receive the education of radiation exposure management regularly' While, their score for a behavior described in the item saying 'Before using the radiation system, it is needed to check whether the machine works normally.

"Beach Lifeguards' Sun Exposure and Sun Protection in Spain"

  • de Troya Martin, Magdalena;Sanchez, Nuria Blazquez;Garcia Harana, Cristina;Leiva, Ma Carmen Alarcon;Arjona, Jose Aguilera;Ruiz, Francisco Rivas;de Galvez Aranda, Ma Victoria
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.12 no.2
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    • pp.244-248
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    • 2021
  • Background: Sunburn is the main avoidable cause of skin cancer. Beach lifeguards spend many hours exposed to the effects of solar radiation during their work day, precisely at times of the year when levels of solar irradiation are highest. The aim of this study is to quantify the risk to beach lifeguards of sun exposure. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the Western Costa del Sol, southern Spain, during the summer of 2018. The research subjects were recruited during a skin cancer prevention course for beach lifeguards. All participants were invited to complete a questionnaire on their habits, attitudes, and knowledge related to sun exposure. In addition, ten were specially monitored using personal dosimeters for three consecutive days, and the results were recorded in a photoprotection diary. A descriptive analysis (mean and standard deviation for the quantitative variables) was performed, and inter-group differences were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Two hundred fifteen lifeguards completed the questionnaire, and 109 met the criteria for inclusion in this analysis. The mean age was 23.8 years (SD: 5.1), 78.0% were male, 71.5% were phototype III or IV (Fitzpatrick's phototype), and 77.1% had experienced at least one painful sunburn during the previous summer. The mean daily personal ultraviolet exposure per day, the minimal erythema dose, and the standard erythema dose, in J/m2, were 634.7 [standard deviation (SD): 356.2], 2.5 (SD: 1.4) and 6.35 (SD: 3.6), respectively. Conclusion: Beach lifeguards receive very high doses of solar radiation during the work day and experience correspondingly high rates of sunburn. Intervention strategies to modify their sun exposure behavior and working environment are necessary to reduce the risk of skin cancer for these workers and to promote early diagnosis of the disease.

Review of Hazardous Agent Level in Wafer Fabrication Operation Focusing on Exposure to Chemicals and Radiation (반도체 산업의 웨이퍼 가공 공정 유해인자 고찰과 활용 - 화학물질과 방사선 노출을 중심으로 -)

  • Park, Donguk
    • Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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    • v.26 no.1
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    • pp.1-10
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    • 2016
  • Objectives: The aim of this study is to review the results of exposure to chemicals and to extremely low frequency(ELF) magnetic fields generated in wafer fabrication operations in the semiconductor industry. Methods: Exposure assessment studies of silicon wafer fab operations in the semiconductor industry were collected through an extensive literature review of articles reported until the end of 2015. The key words used in the literature search were "semiconductor industry", "wafer fab", "silicon wafer", and "clean room," both singly and in combination. Literature reporting on airborne chemicals and extremely low frequency(ELF) magnetic fields were collected and reviewed. Results and Conclusions: Major airborne hazardous agents assessed were several organic solvents and ethylene glycol ethers from Photolithography, arsenic from ion implantation and extremely low frequency magnetic fields from the overall fabrication processes. Most exposures to chemicals reported were found to be far below permissible exposure limits(PEL) (10% < PEL). Most of these results were from operators who handled processes in a well-controlled environment. In conclusion, we found a lack of results on exposure to hazardous agents, including chemicals and radiation, which are insufficient for use in the estimation of past exposure. The results we reviewed should be applied with great caution to associate chronic health effects.

Application of Electromagnetic Fields to Improve the Removal Rate of Radioactive Corrosion Products

  • Kong, Tae-Young;Lee, Kun-Jai;Song, Min-Chul
    • Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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    • v.36 no.6
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    • pp.549-558
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    • 2004
  • TTo comply with increasingly strict regulations for protection against radiation exposure, many nuclear power plants have been working ceaselessly to reduce and control both the radiation sources within power plants and the radiation exposure experienced by operational and maintenance personnel. Many research studies have shown that deposits of irradiated corrosion products on the surfaces of coolant systems are the main cause of occupational radiation exposure in nuclear power plant. These corrosion product deposits on the fuel-clad surface are also known to be main factors in the onset of axial offset anomaly (AOA). Hence, there is a great deal of ongoing research on water chermistry and corrosion processes. In this study, a magnetic filter with permanent magnets was devised to remove the corrosion products in the coolant stream by taking advantage of the magnetic properties of the corrosion products demonstrated a removal efficiency of over 90% for particles above 5${\mu}m$. This finding led to the construction of an electromagnetic device that causes the metallic particulates to flocculate into larger aggregates of about 5${\mu}m$ in diameter by using a novel application of electromagnetic flocculation on radioactive corrosion products.

Occupational Radiation Exposure to Hospital Workers: On the Effect of Hematological Change (병원 내 방사선 작업종사자의 만성적 방사선 피폭에 의한 혈액학적 성분 변화에 관한 연구)

  • Ryu, Jae-Kwang;Jung, Woo-Young;Shin, Sang-Ki;Cho, Shee-Man;Dong, Kyung-Rae;Kim, Hyun-Soo
    • The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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    • v.12 no.3
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    • pp.157-170
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    • 2008
  • Purpose: This prospective study was conducted to reveal the haematological index change by low level radiation exposure in radiological environment our hospital workers. Materials and Method: We gathered the cumulative dose by Thermoluminenscent Dosimeters (TLD) over 9-yr period and examined hematological index counts change (RBC, Hb, Platelet, WBC, Monocyte, Lymphocyte, Neutrophilic, Basophilic, Eosinophilic) both occupational workers and controls. Of a total 370 occupational workers and 335 controls were compared. Results: This analysis has led to the following general observations 1) The average cumulative dose in male and female were $9.65{\pm}15.2\;mSv$, $4.82{\pm}5.55\;mSv$ respectively. 2) In both male and female, there were very low relationship between occupation period and cumulative dose (r< ${\pm}0.25$). 3) Occupation period was more increased, in male, WBC counts decreased and increased workers, RBC counts decreased workers were more than controls group (p<0.05). In female, WBC counts decreased and increased workers and W-eosino counts decreased workers were more than controls group (p<0.01). 4) Cumulative dose was more increased, in male, W-Lympho counts decreased workers and Platelet counts deceased workers were more than controls group (p<0.05). In female, W-lympho counts decreased workers and RBC counts decreased workers were more than controls group (p<0.05). Conclusions: We can find some kinds of blood index abnormal distribution in occupational radiation workers by comparing with controls. Occupational workers cannot avoid radiation exposure, in spite of the control it. Actually low level radiation adverse effect occurred not dose but probability. So workers must always try to reduce exposure by ourselves, furthermore as long as possible the government should provide rapidly that national system on radiation control for worker's health.

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Reconstruction of Radiation Dose Received by Diagnostic Radiologic Technologists in Korea

  • Choi, Yeongchull;Kim, Jaeyoung;Lee, Jung Jeung;Jun, Jae Kwan;Lee, Won Jin
    • Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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    • v.49 no.5
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    • pp.288-300
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    • 2016
  • Objectives: Diagnostic medical radiation workers in Korea have been officially monitored for their occupational radiation doses since 1996. The purpose of this study was to design models for reconstructing unknown individual radiation doses to which diagnostic radiation technologists were exposed before 1996. Methods: Radiation dose reconstruction models were developed by using cross-sectional survey data and the personal badge doses of 8167 radiologic technologists. The models included calendar year and age as predictors, and the participants were grouped into six categories according to their sex and facility type. The annual doses between 1971 and 1995 for those who were employed before 1996 were estimated using these models. Results: The calendar year and age were inversely related to the estimated radiation doses in the models of all six groups. The annual median estimated doses decreased from 9.45 mSv in 1971 to 1.26 mSv in 1995, and the associated dose variation also decreased with time. The estimated median badge doses from 1996 (1.22 mSv) to 2011 (0.30 mSv) were similar to the measured doses (1.68 mSv to 0.21 mSv) for the same years. Similar results were observed for all six groups. Conclusions: The reconstruction models developed in this study may be useful for estimating historical occupational radiation doses received by medical radiologic technologists in Korea.

Study of occupational exposure in PET/CT (PET/CT 종사자의 방사선피폭에 관한 연구)

  • Na, Soo-Kyung;Park, Byung-Sub;Kang, Yong-Gil
    • Journal of Digital Convergence
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    • v.10 no.11
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    • pp.449-457
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    • 2012
  • The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between radiation origin and health professionals, and to reduce exposed dose of radiation through efficient management. Increasing exposed dose of radiation to health professionals are caused by the increase of PET/CT use and a radioactive isotope. Hence, in this study, space dose from each origin of radiation generating was analyzed and the use of personnel protective clothing and shields was compared. As a result of this study, we confirmed that the exposed dose of radiation was much higher in case of wearing personnel protective clothing(0.5 mm pb) than no wearing personnel protective clothing under high energy gamma radiation(511 keV) of the position emitter($^{18}F$).

Guidelines of IRPA/ICNIRP for Non-ionizing Radiation (비이온화방사선에 대한 IRPA/ICNIRP의 제반지침)

  • Lee, Soo-Yong
    • Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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    • v.20 no.3
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    • pp.143-154
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    • 1995
  • In recent years, the development of new technologies using static magnetic fields has increased the possibility of human exposure to these fields and raised some concern as to their possible health effects. In several countries, governmental or other competent authorities have issued exposure limits that are mainly intended for specific uses, i.e., magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and particle accelerators for high-energy Physics. Since applications of magnetic fields in industry and medicine are likely to grow in the future, thus increasing the possibility of occupational and general public exposure, and since the number of people with ferromagnetic implants and implanted electronic devices that can be affected by the fields is growing, there is a need for international guidelines. In the present papers, guidelines on limits of exposure to static magnetic fields are selected and discussed in order to review the guidelines of the International Non-ionizing Radiation Committee of the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA/INIRC) for non-ionizing radiation(NIR)

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