• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.41 no.6
• /
• pp.617-626
• /
• 2018

This study aims to provide the basic data helpful for the improvement of rights and interests of radiological technologists, by understanding the current working environment and if they get the proper reward through the analysis on the perception of appropriateness of current wage and job satisfaction of radiological technologists. Survey was conducted to evaluate the perception of satisfaction with job and wage system, work intensity, necessity of the radiological technologist limit system, and turnover in accordance. The appropriate starting salary was low in case of women and non-capital area, and when the age, academic background, career, and hospital size were lower. The appropriate wage was low in case of women and non-capital area, and when the academic background and hospital size were lower. The negative perception of the necessity to change the wage system was shown in university hospitals. Regarding the work intensity, in case of women and low career, and when the age, academic background, and hospital size were higher, the work intensity was perceived as high. When the academic degree and hospital size were lower, the positive perception of the radiological technologist limit was shown. The turnover intention was high in case of women, and when the age, academic background, career, and hospital size were lower. In order to increase the job satisfaction of radiological technologists, it would be necessary to the appropriate reward and the environment where they could concentrate on work.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.55 no.8
• /
• pp.2802-2811
• /
• 2023

In a first-of-its-kind study, terrestrial radionuclide concentrations were measured in 35 topsoil samples from the outskirts of Dhaka using HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry to assess the radiological consequences of such a vast number of brick kilns on the plant workers, general as well as dwelling environment. The range of activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K is found at 19 ± 3.04 to 38 ± 4.94, 39 ± 5.85 to 57 ± 7.41, and (430 ± 51.60 to 570 ± 68.40) Bq/kg, respectively. ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K concentrations were higher than the global averages. Bottom ash deposition in lowlands, fly ash buildup in soils, and the fallout of micro-particles are all probable causes of the elevated radioactivity levels. ¹³⁷Cs was found in the sample, which indicates the migration of ¹³⁷Cs from nuclear accidents or nuclear fallout, or the contamination of feed coal. Although the effective dose received by the general public was below the recommended dose limit but, most estimates of hazard parameters surpass their respective population weighted global averages, indicating that brick kiln workers and nearby residents are not safe due to prolonged exposures to terrestrial radiation. In addition, the soil around sampling sites is found to be unsuitable for agricultural purposes.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.361-369
• /
• 2023

The latissimus dorsi (LD) flap is a reliable option for breast reconstruction. This is particularly true in patients with contraindications to abdominally based autologous breast reconstruction. A systematic review of patient satisfaction and health related quality of life following LD breast reconstruction using the BREAST-Q survey was conducted. The scope of the review was to determine the degree of patient satisfaction following the procedure and to examine how patient satisfaction from the pedicled LD flap compares to other breast reconstructive procedures. A literature search on BREAST-Q in LD flap reconstruction was performed. Only articles written in English and in published peer-reviewed journals were included. Studies with less than 20 patients in their sample and those with a follow-up period of less than 1 year were excluded. Five articles representing 331 patients were reviewed, including one case-control study and four retrospective cohort studies. Level of evidence was either III (4) or IV (1). The average age was 53 with average body mass index of 25. Most reconstructions were delayed (67%) and unilateral (88%), and most patients required radiation (79%). The average length of follow-up was 36 months, and the response rate was 75%. Overall, patients who underwent LD flap reconstruction reported favorable outcomes in satisfaction domains and quality of life domains with few complications. A meta-analysis also demonstrated higher satisfaction in LD flap without implants compared with LD flap with implants. Patient-reported outcomes following LD breast reconstruction compare favorably with other techniques of breast reconstruction.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.43-49
• /
• 2023

Background: Messaging surrounding skin cancer prevention has previously focused on the general public and emphasized how or when activities should be undertaken to reduce solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure. Generic messages may not be applicable to all settings, and should be tailored to protect unique and/or highly susceptible subpopulations, such as outdoor workers. The primary objective of this study was to develop a set of tailored, practical, harm-reducing sun safety messages that will better support outdoor workers and their employers in reducing the risk of solar UVR exposure and UVR-related occupational illnesses. Methods: We adapted a core set of sun safety messages previously developed for the general population to be more applicable and actionable by outdoor workers and their employers. This study used an integrated knowledge translation approach and a modified Delphi method (which uses a survey-based consensus process) to tailor the established set of sun safety messages for use for outdoor worker populations. Results: The tailored messages were created with a consideration for what is feasible for outdoor workers, and provide users with key facts, recommendations, and tips related to preventing skin cancer, eye damage, and heat stress, specifically when working outdoors. Conclusion: The resulting tailored messages are a set of evidence-based, expert- approved, and stakeholder-workshopped messages that can be used in a variety of work settings as part of an exposure control plan for employers with outdoor workers.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.55 no.6
• /
• pp.2158-2165
• /
• 2023

Marine radioactivity monitoring is critical for taking immediate action in case of unexpected nuclear accidents at nuclear facilities located near coastal areas. Especially when the level of contamination is not predictable, mobile monitoring systems will be useful for wide-area ocean radiation survey and for determination of the level of radioactivity. Here, we used a silicon photomultiplier and a high-efficiency GAGG crystal to fabricate a compact, battery-powered gamma spectroscopy that can be used in an ocean environment. The developed spectroscopy has compact dimensions of 6.5 × 6.5× 8 cm³ and weighs 560 g. We used LoRa, a low-power wireless protocol for communication. Successful data transmission was achieved within 1.4 m water depth. The developed gamma spectroscopy was able to detect radioactivity from a ¹³⁷Cs point source (3.7 kBq) at a distance of 20 cm in water. Moreover, we demonstrated an unmanned radioactivity monitoring system in a real sea by combining unmanned surface vehicle with the developed gamma spectroscopy. A hidden ¹³⁷Cs source (3.07 MBq) was detected by the unmanned system at a distance of 3 m. After successfully testing the developed mobile spectroscopy in an ocean environment, we believe that our proposed system will be an effective solution for mobile real-time marine radioactivity monitoring.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.401-410
• /
• 2023

A radiographer is a job in charge of diagnostic imaging equipment, and must contribute to the promotion of public health by suggesting an appropriate level of work. To this end, we intend to present an appropriate level of work through evaluation of human harm according to work, statistical evaluation through questionnaires, and domestic and international trends. In the case of human harm evaluation, considering radiation exposure, 42.6%, shield work, 69.7%, and in the case of magnetic resonance imaging, the maximum length of stay in the examination room should be adjusted to 15 minutes and not exceed 30 times. According to the survey statistics, it was confirmed that the physical and mental burden increased due to the high workload and difficulty compared to working hours. Based on domestic and international trends, it is necessary to adjust the examination standards for domestic radiographers to 36.8% to promote national health through qualitative improvement of radiological examinations. something to do.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.439-446
• /
• 2023

Objectives: The aims of this study are to investigate how X-rays are emitted to surrounding parts during the ion implantation process, to analyze these emissions in relation to the properties of the ion implanter equipment, and to estimate the resulting exposure dose. Eight ion implanters equipped with high-voltage electrical systems were selected for this study. Methods: We monitored X-ray emissions at three locations outside of the ion implanters: the accelerator equipped with a high-voltage energy generator, the impurity ion source, and the beam line. We used a Personal Portable Dose Rate and Survey Meter to monitor real-time X-ray levels. The SX-2R probe, an X-ray Features probe designed for use with the Radiagem^TM meter, was also utilized to monitor lower ranges of X-ray emissions. The counts per second (CPS) measured by the meter were estimated and then converted to a radiation dose (𝜇Sv/hr) based on a validated calibration graph between CPS and μGy/hr. Results: X-rays from seven ion implanters were consistently detected in high-voltage accelerator gaps, regardless of their proximity. X-rays specifically emanated from three ion implanters situated in the ion box gap and were also found in the beam lines of two ion implanters. The intensity of these X-rays did not show a clear pattern relative to the devices' age and electric properties, and notably, it decreased as the distance from the device increased. Conclusions: In conclusion, every gap, in which three components of the ion implanter devices were divided, was found to be insufficiently shielded against X-ray emissions, even though the exposure levels were not estimated to be higher than the threshold.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.29 no.1 s.52
• /
• pp.1-14
• /
• 1996

To evaluate the health risk of the workplace environment of a general hospital toward the hospital workers, a questionnaire survey on the perception of risk at the workplace environment and environmental measurements at 27 locations with 240 workers in the hospital were made from October 25th, 1993 to October 30th, 1994. The results were as follows ; 1. By the environmental measurements, 86 workers(36%) were found to be exposed to poor or harmful degree of general illumination, 193 workers(80%) were exposed to poor or harmful local illumination, 34 workers(14%) were exposed to poor or harmful degree of thermal condition and 180 workers(75%) were exposed to poor or harmful noise level, but nobody was exposed to poor or harmful dust and toluene concentration. Also nobody was exposed to poor or harmful level of radiation or anticancer/antibiotic agents. 2. The subjective perceptions on the environmental conditions felt by the workers were different from the objective findings by the environmental measurements. The workers underscored the poor illumination state and overscored the dust concentrations. Also workers oversensitized about the thermal condition, the noise level, the radiation level, the toluene concentration and anticancer/antibiotic agents 3. The sources of noise were the dialogue(179 workers) and the office instruments(131 workers). The sources of dust came from the clothes(108 workers) and the building materials(79 workers). 4. The questionnaire survey showed that the 28 workers were exposed to poor or harmful level of the antibiotics, 10 workers to alkali or acid and 6 workers to drug dust in the pharmacy but the above findings could not be proved by the environmental measurements.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.55-60
• /
• 2004

The purpose of this study was to examine both patient exposure dose during mammography and the utility status of mammograpy equipments. The data of this study were collected through questionnaire survey for 278 medical facilities registered at Korean Hospital Association and finally 161 medical facilities's data were analyzed. According to data analysis, medical facilities of 14.9% used the average glandular dose of less than 0.5 mGy, $0.51{\sim}1.0\;mGy$ 8.6%, $1.01{\sim}1.5\;mGy$ 14.9%, $1.51{\sim}2.0\;mGy$ 11.1%, $2.01{\sim}2.5\;mGy$ 9.8%, $2.51{\sim}3.0\;mGy$ 33.3%, and 7.4% more than 3.01 mGy. It was found that medical facilities of 92.6% used less than 3 mGy, showing that this figure is similar to the limit value of 3 mGy recommended by Korea Food & Drug Administration(KFDA). Recently, international organizations such as ICRP associated with radiation protection suggests that less than 3 mGy of average mammary gland dose be used during mammography in case of using Mo target+Mo filter, film/screen system and craniocaudal projection with the breast pressed to 4.2 cm. The standard dose is being strictly observed and that of the limits is going down to 2 mGy or 1.5 mGy. The major results of this study indicate that interests and a counterplan to reduce patient dose during mammography should be considered. Based on this study, the authors of this study will continue to measure exposure dose to set a new standard for patient exposure dose during mammography.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.74-80
• /
• 2015

Purpose Breast lymphoscintigraphy is an important technique to present for body surface precisely, which shows a lymph node metastasis of malignant tumors at an early stage and is performed before and after surgery in patients with breast cancer. In this study, we evaluated several methods of body outline imaging to present exact location of lesions, as well as compared respective exposure doses. Materials and Methods RANDO phantom and SYMBIA T-16 were used for obtaining imaging. A lesion and an injection site were created by inserting a point source of 0.11 MBq on the axillary sentinel lymph node and 37 MBq on the right breast, respectively. The first method for acquiring the image was used by drawing the body surface of phantom for 30 sec using $Na^{99m}TcO_4$ as a point source. The second, the image was acquired with $^{57}Co$ flood source for 30 seconds on the rear side and the left side of the phantom, the image as the third method was obtained using a syringe filled with 37 MBq of $Na^{99m}TcO_4$ in 10 ml of saline, and as the fourth, we used a photon energy and scatter energy of $^{99m}Tc$ emitting from phantom without any addition radiation exposure. Finally, the image was fused the scout image and the basal image of SPECT/CT using MATLAB$^{(R)}$ program. Anterior and lateral images were acquired for 3 min, and radiation exposure was measured by the personal exposure dosimeter. We conducted preference of 10 images from nuclear medicine doctors by the survey. Results TBR values of anterior and right image in the first to fifth method were 334.9 and 117.2 ($1^{st}$), 266.1 and 124.4 ($2^{nd}$), 117.4 and 99.6 ($3^{rd}$), 3.2 and 7.6 ($4^{th}$), and 565.6 and 141.8 ($5^{th}$). And also exposure doses of these method were 2, 2, 2, 0, and $30{\mu}Sv$, respectively. Among five methods, the fifth method showed the highest TBR value as well as exposure dose, where as the fourth method showed the lowest TBR value and exposure dose. As a result, the last method ($5^{th}$) is the best method and the fourth method is the worst method in this study. Conclusion Scout method of SPECT/CT can be useful that provides the best values of TBR and the best score of survey result. Even though personal exposure dose when patients take scout of SPECT/CT was higher than another scan, it was slight level comparison to 1 mSv as the dose limit to non-radiation workers. If the scout is possible to less than 80 kV, exposure dose can be reduced, and also useful lesion localization provided.