• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2020

This study investigated the effectiveness of radiation safety rules in animal hospital and the awareness and behavior of veterinary radiation workers. With the questionnaires, the data was collected from randomly selected veterinarians in animal hospitals and animal medical imaging centers. Collected data were about radiation device, shielding device, regulations, safety management, education, knowledge, behavior and awareness. Frequency, correlation and multiple regression analysis were performed. The medical devices related with radiation in animal hospital were X-ray (59%), CT (15%), fluoroscopy (12%), mobile X-ray (12%) and others (2%). The number of people using radiation shielding device is high. The answers were low on knowing radiation related regulation and receiving radiation protection education. The group with higher knowledge and awareness shows positive correlation with safety behavior. The increase of use of the radiation related medical devices in veterinary hospital causes the increase of radiation exposure risk. This study suggests that radiation safety management system and policies need to be developed to protect radiation workers and give them correct information and consciousness.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.55-61
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• 2020

The various types of radiation-generator devices have been used in animal hospitals, and the safety for radiation workers is becoming important in Korea. This study investigated and analyzed the radiation safety management for diagnostic radiation-generator devices and radiation workers of animal hospital. The number of radiation-generator devices and radiation workers of animal hospital increased from 2,138 to 2,972 and from 2,644 and 5,733 for six years. The number of general X-ray, CT, C-arm, portable and dental X-ray in 2019 were 2,204, 58, 67, 770, and 14. The number of veterinarian, veterinary nurse, veterinary assistant, and others in 2019 were 4,236, 1,080, 404, and 13. The average exposure dose of radiation workers in 2018 were 0.21mSv in surface dose, 0.18mSv in depth doses. This study is expected to be the basic data for the safety management of radiation-generating devices and radiation workers in animal hospital.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.6
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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.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.151-157
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• 2014

A nationwide survey on radiation safety management in Korean animal hospitals was conducted. By 2013, 53 radiation generators were registered as veterinary medical devices (41 X-ray generators and 12 computed tomography scanners). Additionally there were six approved laboratories for radiation equipment and protection facility, and five approved laboratories for radiation exposure of employees, respectively. By March 2013, 2,030 out of 3,829 animal hospitals operated radiation-generating devices. Among these devices, 389 (19.2%) out of 2,030 were not labeled with the model name and 746 (36.7%) were not labeled with production dates. Thus, most veterinary X-ray generators were outdated (42.6%) and needed replacements. When periodic inspections of 2,018 animal hospitals were performed after revision of the Veterinarians Act in 2011, the hospitals were found to be equipped with appropriate radiation generators and protection facilities. Among 2,545 employees exposed to radiation at the hospitals, 93.9% were veterinarians, 4.3% were animal nurse technicians, and 18% held other positions. Among 169 employees supervised by administrators, none of those had a weekly maximum operating load that exceeded $10mA{\cdot}min$. This study suggests that the radiation safety management system of animal hospitals was general good.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.391-396
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• 1988

Appreciable radiation exposures certainly occur in the workers who handle radioiodine in biochemical research, nuclear medicine diagnostics with the development of nuclear industries. But in the case of occurring the nuclear accidents, the early medical treatment of radiation injury should be necessary but little was reported in korea till now. Accordingly, to achieve of the basic data for protective roles and medical treatment of radiation injury, the present studies were carried out to evaluate the decontamination of radioiodine by the administration of the antithyroid drugs. The results observed are summarized as follows: 1. The administration of sodium iodide and potassium iodide results in rapid excretion of radioiodine and reduction of the whole body retention than the saline-only group. 2. Reguarding to thyroid protective effects, sodium iodide, potassium iodide and saline were effected significant in order. 3. In the control(saline) group, if administered with enough fluids, the whole body retention of radioiodine is reduced temporary shifts. But as far as radioprotective effects is concerned, saline was not more in the protective effects than the other groups. In conclusion, in case of nuclear accidents, if being administered sodium iodide and saline as quickly as possible, the radioprotective effects against the radiation hazard might be markedly increased in the internal contamination of radioiodine.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2022

Background: In Japan, new regulations that revise the dose limit for the lens of the eye (hereafter the lens), operational quantities, and measurement positions for the lens dose were enforced in April 2021. Based on the international safety standards, national guidelines, the results of the Radiation Safety Research Promotion Fund of the Nuclear Regulation Authority, and other studies, the Working Group of Radiation Protection Standardization Committee, the Japan Health Physics Society (JHPS) developed a guideline for radiation dose monitoring for the lens. Materials and Methods: The Working Group of the JHPS discussed the criteria of non-uniform exposure and the management criteria set not to exceed the dose limit for the lens. Results and Discussion: In July 2020, the JHPS guideline was published. The guideline consists of three parts: main text, explanations, and 26 examples. In the questions, the corresponding answers were prepared, and specific examples were provided to enable similar cases to be addressed. Conclusion: With the development of the guideline on radiation dose monitoring of the lens, radiation managers and workers will be able to smoothly comply with revised regulations and optimize radiation protection.