• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2011

The knowledge on the etiology of breast cancer has advanced substantially in recent years, and several etiological factors are now firmly established. However, very few new discoveries have been made in relation to occupational risk factors. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has evaluated over 900 different exposures or agents to-date to determine whether they are carcinogenic to humans. These evaluations are published as a series of Monographs (www.iarc.fr). For breast cancer the following substances have been classified as "carcinogenic to humans" (Group 1): alcoholic beverages, exposure to diethylstilbestrol, estrogen-progestogen contraceptives, estrogen-progestogen hormone replacement therapy and exposure to X-radiation and gamma-radiation (in special populations such as atomic bomb survivors, medical patients, and in-utero exposure). Ethylene oxide is also classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, although the evidence for carcinogenicity in epidemiologic studies, and specifically for the human breast, is limited. The classification "probably carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2A) includes estrogen hormone replacement therapy, tobacco smoking, and shift work involving circadian disruption, including work as a flight attendant. If the association between shift work and breast cancer, the most common female cancer, is confirmed, shift work could become the leading cause of occupational cancer in women.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.93-98
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• 2022

Background: This study aims to derive the characteristics of each work type for industrial radiography based on empirical evidence through expert advice and a survey of radiation workers of various types of industrial radiography. Materials and Methods: According to a Korean report, work types of industrial radiography are classified into indoor tests, underground pipe tests, tests in a shielded room (radiographic testing [RT] room test), outdoor field tests, and outdoor large structure tests. For each work type, exposure geometry and radiation sources were mainly identified through the expert advice and workers' survey as reliable empirical evidence. Results and Discussion: The expert advice and survey results were consistent as the proportion of the work types were high in the order of RT room test, outdoor large structure test, underground pipe test, outdoor field test, and indoor test. The outdoor large structure test is the highest exposure risk work type in the industrial radiography. In most types of industrial radiography, radiation workers generally used ¹⁹²Ir as the main source. In the results of the survey, the portion of sources was high in the order of ¹⁹²Ir, X-ray generator, ⁶⁰Co, and ⁷⁵Se. As the exposure geometry, the antero-posterior geometry is dominant, and the rotational and isotropic geometry should be also considered with the work type. Conclusion: In this study, through expert advice and a survey, the external exposure characteristics for each work type of industrial radiography workers were derived. This information will be used in the reconstruction of organ dose for health effects assessment of Korean radiation workers.

• 한국방사선학회논문지
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• 제5권4호
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• pp.195-200
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• 2011

최근의 방사선 피폭 선량을 조사하여 그 경각심을 일깨워주기 위함이다. 그 분석결과, K병원의 2008년도 평균피폭 선량은 $0.75{\pm}0.26mSv$, 2009년은 $0.67{\pm}0.30mSv$, 2010년은 $0.92{\pm}0.33mSv$였다. P병원은 2008년이 $0.43{\pm}0.13mSv$, 2009년 $0.43{\pm}0.20mSv$, 2010년이 $0.33{\pm}0.85mSv$로 나타났으며, 연령별 평균 피폭선량은 K병원의 20대가 13.39mSv, 30대 8.37mSv, 40대 1.19mSv, 50대 0.28mSv, 60대 0.32mSv로 나타났고 P병원은 20대 0.33mSv, 30대 1.41mSv, 40대 0.83mSv, 50대 1.66mSv, 60대 1.12mSv 였다. 또한 3년간 피폭선량의 평균을 성별로 나누어서 나타냈는데 K병원에서 남자의 피폭선량은 $2.92{\pm}1.03mSv$, 여자의 피폭선량은 $0.94{\pm}0.93mSv$였다. P병원에서의 남자의 피폭 선량은 $0.66{\pm}0.18mSv$이고 여자는 $1.80{\pm}0.60mSv$로 나타났다. 방사선을 취급하는 과별로 받는 년간 평균 피폭 선량은 영상의학과 $1.65{\pm}1.54mSv$, 방사선종양학과 $1.17{\pm}0.82mSv$, 핵의학과 $1.79{\pm}1.42mSv$, 기타 $0.99{\pm}0.51mSv$였으며 상대적으로 저선량율 에너지를 사용하는 핵의학과에서 다른 과와 비교해서 방사선 피폭이 높게 나타났으며(p<0.05), 핵의학과내에서는 특히 동위원소 조작실과 주입실의 년간 평균 피폭량이 $3.69{\pm}1.81mSv$으로 많은 피폭을 받고 있었다(p<0.01). 직종별 연평균 피폭선량은 의사 $1.75{\pm}1.17mSv$, 방사선사 $1.60{\pm}1.39mSv$, 간호사 $0.93{\pm}0.35mSv$, 기타 $1.00{\pm}0.3mSv$로 의사와 방사선사가 다른 직종에 비해 높게 나타났다(p<0.05). 방사선 작업 종사자에 대한 피폭측정 및 평가가 철저히 이루어져 피폭 가능성을 줄이는데 관심과 주의가 필요하며 누적 선량을 최소화하여 방사선 작업 종사자의 건강을 유지하고 증진 시켜야 할 것이다.

• 방사선산업학회지
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.373-377
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to suggest a necessity and development of radiation counsellor qualifications system for the public to solve the anxiety and the curiosity about radiation exposure. We analyzed the definition and role of radiation counsellor and define radiation counsellor qualifications system. Qualification is given to those who have completed the professional training course organized by Korea Energy Information Culture Agency (KEIA). Since 2014, KEIA has been conducting radiation counsellor training, Examination and certification. This system continues to promote efforts to disseminate and develop the right knowledge about radiation risk and information of radiation risk to the public. Also, it is thought that radiation counsellors could be able to fulfill the roles needed in society through legislation for the mandatory placement of radiation counsellors.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제40권7호
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• pp.539-550
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• 2008

Lung cancer is the most prevalent global cancer, ${\sim}90%$ of which is caused by cigarette smoking. The LNT hypothesis has been inappropriately applied to estimate lung cancer risk due to ionizing radiation. A threshold of ${\sim}1\;Gy$ for lung cancer has been observed in never smokers. Lung cancer risk among nuclear workers, radiologists and diagnostically exposed patients was typically reduced by ${\sim}40%$ following exposure to <100 mSv low LET radiation. The consistency and magnitude of reduced lung cancer in nuclear workers and occurrence of reduced lung cancer in exposed non-worker populations could not be explained by the HWE. Ecologic studies of indoor radon showed highly significant reductions in lung cancer risk. A similar reduction in lung cancer was seen in a recent well designed case-control study of indoor radon, indicating that exposure to radon at the EPA action level is associated with a decrease of ${\sim}60%$ in lung cancer. A cumulative whole-body dose of ${\sim}1\;Gy$ gamma rays is associated with a marked decrease in smoking-induced lung cancer in plutonium workers. Low dose, low LET radiation appears to increase apoptosis mediated removal of $\alpha$-particle and cigarette smoke transformed pulmonary cells before they can develop into lung cancer.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제31권
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• pp.1.1-1.13
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• 2016

Objectives To investigate the accuracy and scientific validity of the current very low risk factor for hereditary diseases in humans following exposures to ionizing radiation adopted by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation and the International Commission on Radiological Protection. The value is based on experiments on mice due to reportedly absent effects in the Japanese atomic bomb (A-bomb) survivors. Methods To review the published evidence for heritable effects after ionising radiation exposures particularly, but not restricted to, populations exposed to contamination from the Chernobyl accident and from atmospheric nuclear test fallout. To make a compilation of findings about early deaths, congenital malformations, Down's syndrome, cancer and other genetic effects observed in humans after the exposure of the parents. To also examine more closely the evidence from the Japanese A-bomb epidemiology and discuss its scientific validity. Results Nearly all types of hereditary defects were found at doses as low as one to 10 mSv. We discuss the clash between the current risk model and these observations on the basis of biological mechanism and assumptions about linear relationships between dose and effect in neonatal and foetal epidemiology. The evidence supports a dose response relationship which is non-linear and is either biphasic or supralinear (hogs-back) and largely either saturates or falls above 10 mSv. Conclusions We conclude that the current risk model for heritable effects of radiation is unsafe. The dose response relationship is non-linear with the greatest effects at the lowest doses. Using Chernobyl data we derive an excess relative risk for all malformations of 1.0 per 10 mSv cumulative dose. The safety of the Japanese A-bomb epidemiology is argued to be both scientifically and philosophically questionable owing to errors in the choice of control groups, omission of internal exposure effects and assumptions about linear dose response.

• 한국방사선학회논문지
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.459-466
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• 2018

방사선작업종사자 및 방사선작업장의 위험성은 주로 피폭선량 값으로 평가되고 있다. 하지만, 방사선작업장은 사용하는 방사선 및 작업환경이 상이하다. 특히, 방사선투과검사작업장은 작업대상물, 차폐체 사용가능 유무 등에 따라 작업환경이 다양하다. 따라서 효율적인 방사선 방호를 위해서는 여러 가지 인자들을 검토하는 것이 필요하다. 이에 전문가 및 조장 방사선작업종사자들 대상으로 설문조사를 수행하였으며, 그 결과, 방사선원, 방사선피폭선량, 작업장관리현황, 판독특이자, 정기검사현황이 주요인자로 선정되었다. 또한, 설문조사 중요도를 바탕으로 1차 가중치(안)을 설정한 후 2차적으로 전문가 자문을 통해 인자 내 세부항목별 가중치를 선정하였다. 따라서 본 연구를 통해 선정된 주요인자를 바탕으로 하여 방사선투과검사작업장 위해도 지수 모델 개발이 가능할 것으로 판단된다.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제30권
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• pp.5.1-5.8
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• 2015

Objectives We aimed to assess the radiation exposure for epidemiologic investigation in residents exposed to radiation from roads that were accidentally found to be contaminated with radioactive cesium-137 ($^{137}Cs$) in Seoul. Methods Using information regarding the frequency and duration of passing via the $^{137}Cs$ contaminated roads or residing/working near the roads from the questionnaires that were obtained from 8875 residents and the measured radiation doses reported by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, we calculated the total cumulative dose of radiation exposure for each person. Results Sixty-three percent of the residents who responded to the questionnaire were considered as ever-exposed and 1% of them had a total cumulative dose of more than 10 mSv. The mean (minimum, maximum) duration of radiation exposure was 4.75 years (0.08, 11.98) and the geometric mean (minimum, maximum) of the total cumulative dose was 0.049 mSv (<0.001, 35.35) in the exposed. Conclusions An individual exposure assessment was performed for an epidemiological study to estimate the health risk among residents living in the vicinity of $^{137}Cs$ contaminated roads. The average exposure dose in the exposed people was less than 5% of the current guideline.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제40권6호
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• pp.429-437
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• 2023

In veterinary medicine, most radiographic images are obtained by restraining patients, inevitably exposing the restrainer to secondary scattered radiation. Radiation exposure can result in stochastic reactions such as cancer and genetic effects, as well as deterministic reactions such as skin burns, cataracts, and bone marrow suppression. Radiation-shielding equipment, including aprons, thyroid shields, eyewear, and gloves, can reduce radiation exposure. However, the risk of radiation exposure to the upper arms, face, and back remains, and lead aprons and thyroid shields are heavy, restricting movement. We designed a new radiation-shielding system and compared its shielding ability with those of conventional radiation-shielding systems. We hypothesized that the new shielding system would have a wider radiation-shielding range and similar shielding ability. The radiation exposure dose differed significantly between the conventional and new shielding systems in the forehead, chin, and bilateral upper arm areas (p < 0.001). When both systems were used together, the radiation-shielding ability was better than when only one system was used at all anatomical locations (p < 0.01). This study suggests that the new radiation-shielding system is essential and convenient for veterinary radiation workers because it is a step closer to radiation safety in veterinary radiography.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.57-70
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• 1992

실내 라돈-222 자핵종의 농도에 피폭되므로서 유발될 수 있는 한국인의 초과 폐암위험을 방사선피폭의 확율론적 위험예측 모형을 이용하여 정량적으로 평가하였다. 1989년 기준 표준 생명표와 사망원인 통계연보 자료로부터 유도한 한국인의 폐암 사망률은 남, 여별로 각각 $22.4/10^5-$년 및 $9.5^/10^5-$년으로 추정 되었다. 이 폐암 사망율을 근거로 수학적으로 예상한 한 모든 사망원인하의 기저 폐암사망위험은 남, 여별로 각각 0.047(4.7%) 및 0.019(1.9%)로 1984년도 미국의 0.067(6.7%) 및 0.025(2.5%)보다 낮았다. 방사선 피폭의 확률론적 수정 상대위험 예측모형을 사용하여 예상한 한국인의 라돈자핵종 피폭당의 초과 폐암위험 계수는 남자 : 0.022/WLM, 여자 : 0.009/WLM 및 평균 : 0.017/WLM로 나타났으며 이로부터 추정한 한국인의 평균 수명중 라돈자핵종 피폭유발 초과 폐암의 사망빈도는 $230/10^6$인-WLM으로 최근 외국의 관련연구에서 보고한 $120{\sim}450/10^6-WLM$의 거의 중간치(median)정도에 해당하는 것으로 평가되었다.