• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.17-29
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• 2015

Purpose For nuclear medicine technologists, it is difficult to stay away from or to separate from radiation sources comparing with workers who are using radiation generating devices. Nuclear medicine technologists work is recognized as an optimized way when they are familiar with work practices. The aims of this study are to measure radiation exposure of technologists working in PET and to evaluate the occupational radiation dose after implementation of strategies to lower exposure. Materials and Methods We divided into four working types by QC for PET, injection, scan and etc. in PET scan procedure. In QC of PET, we compared the radiation exposure controlling next to $^{68}Ge$ cylinder phantom directly to controlling the table in console room remotely. In injection, we compared the radiation exposure guiding patient in waiting room before injection to after injection. In scan procedure of PET, we compared the radiation exposure moving the table using the control button located next to the patient to moving the table using the control button located in the far distance. PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DOSEMETER (PED), Tracerco$^{TM}$ was used for measuring exposed radiation doses. Results The average doses of exposed radiation were $0.27{\pm}0.04{\mu}Sv$ when controlling the table directly and $0.13{\pm}0.14{\mu}Sv$ when controlling the table remotely while performing QC. The average doses of exposed radiation were $0.97{\pm}0.36{\mu}Sv$ when guiding patient after injection and $0.62{\pm}0.17{\mu}Sv$ when guiding patient before injection. The average doses of exposed radiation were $1.33{\pm}0.54{\mu}Sv$ when using the control button located next to the patient and $0.94{\pm}0.50{\mu}Sv$ when using the control button located in far distance while acquiring image. As a result, there were statistically significant differences(P<0.05). Conclusion: From this study, we found that how much radiation doses technologists are exposed on average at each step of PET procedure while working in PET center and how we can reduce the occupational radiation dose after implementation of strategies to lower exposure. And if we make effort to seek any other methods to reduce technologist occupational radiation, we can minimize and optimize exposed radiation doses in department of nuclear medicine. Conclusion From this study, we found that how much radiation doses technologists are exposed on average at each step of PET procedure while working in PET center and how we can reduce the occupational radiation dose after implementation of strategies to lower exposure. And if we make effort to seek any other methods to reduce technologist occupational radiation, we can minimize and optimize exposed radiation doses in department of nuclear medicine.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.57-61
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• 2014

Purpose Iodine (I-131) is one of the most widely used radioactive isotopes for therapeutic in the field of nuclear medicine. Therapeutic I-131 capsule is made out of lead to shield high energy radiation. Accurate dosimetry is necessarily required to perform safe and effective work for relative workers. The Monte Carlo method is known as a method to predict the absorbed dose distribution most accurately in radiation therapy and many researchers constantly attempt to apply this method to the dose calculation of radiotherapy recently. This paper aims to calculate distance dependent and activity dependent therapeutic I-131 capsule using GEANT4. Materials and Methods Therapeutic capsules was implemented on the basis of the design drawings. The simulated dose was determined by generating of gamma rays of energy to more than 364 keV. The simulated dose from the capsule at the distance of 10 cm and 100 cm was measured and calculated in the model of water phantom. The simulated dose were separately calculated for each position of each detector. Results According to the domestic regulation on radiation safety, the dose at 10 cm and 100 cm away from the surface of therapeutic I-131 capsule should not exceed 2.0 mSv/h and 0.02 mSv/h, respectively. The simulated doses turned out to be less than the limit, satisfying the domestic regulation. Conclusion These simulation results may serve as useful data in the prediction of hands dose absorbed by I-131 capsule handling. GEANT4 is considered that it will be effectively used in order to check the radiation dose.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.195-200
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to investigate the dose of radiation exposure to radiation-related workers in a hospital setting, thus increasing awareness of the health risk to the radiation-related workers. The result of the analysis showed the average dose of radiation exposure to radiation-related workers in hospital K was $0.75{\pm}0.26mSv$ in 2008, $0.67{\pm}0.30mSv$ in 2009, and $0.92{\pm}0.33mSv$ in 2010. The average dose of radiation exposure in hospital P was $0.43{\pm}0.13mSv$ in 2008, $0.43{\pm}0.20mSv$ in 2009, and $0.33{\pm}0.85mSv$ in 2010. The average dose of radiation exposure in hospital K by age group was 13.39mSv for age 20 to 29, 8.37mSv for age 30 to 39, 1.19mSv for age 40 to 49, 0.28mSv for age 50 to 59, and 0.32mSv for age 60 to 69 The average dose of radiation exposure in hospital P by age group was 0.33mSv for age 20 to 29, 1.41mSv for age 30 to 39, 0.83mSv for age 40 to 49, 1.66mSv for age 50 to 59, and 1.12mSv for age 60 to 69. Moreover, the average radiation exposure to radiation-related workers over 3 year period by gender group in hospital K was $2.92{\pm}1.03mSv$ for male group and $0.94{\pm}0.93mSv$ for female group. The average radiation exposure over 3 year period by gender group in hospital P was $0.66{\pm}0.18mSv$ for male group and $1.80{\pm}0.60mSv$ for female group. Persons working in diagnostic radiology department received mean of $1.65{\pm}1.54mSv/year$, mean $1.17{\pm}0.82mSv/year$ in radiation oncology, mean $1.79{\pm}1.42mSv/year$ at nuclear medicine department and mean $0.99{\pm}0.51mSv/year$ at other departments. Radiation exposure was higher than that of other departments(p<0.05). Doctors and technologists received higher radiation exposure (mean $1.75{\pm}1.17mSv/year$, $1.60{\pm}1.39mSv/year$ each) than other workers(p<0.05). Measurement and evaluation of radiation exposure in radiation-related workers should be widely conducted accurately and consistently in the radiation-related occupational setting so that people in these occupational settings are more aware of the risk from radiation exposure, and thus give more attention and caution to decrease radiation exposure. It would be essential to minimize accumulated radiation dose in the radiation-related occupational setting in order to maintain and improve the health of radiation-related workers.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.94-98
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• 2011

Purpose: The radiation exposure from radioisotope at the hands and foots of radiation workers who works in PET/CT part at the department of nuclear medicine was investigated in this study. Materials and Methods: From 4th August 2010 to 14th January 2011, 6 radio-technologists' radiation on hands and feet were measured. All radio-technologist have been examined around 8; morning, 12; afternoon, and 16 o'clock; evening, respectively. SPSS version 17 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The statistical significances were calculated in several ways. The radiation from both hands and feet in the Morning was lower than Afternoon and Evening. In some cases, the detected radiation showed extremely high values in data. In order to find the effect of the ${\gamma}$-ray on the hand, the estimated doses were presumably calculated, however, the exposure dose on feet were unmeasured. Conclusion: Even if the radiation exposure from the radioisotope at the hands and feet were under the limitations, it is definitely needs to prevent the radiation-contamination. Therefore, the radio-technologists need to have a proper radiation-dealing-procedure of their own, and must try to prevent a radiation exposure by themselves.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2023

Low-dose radiation exposure has received considerable attention because it reflects the general public's type and level of exposure. Still, controversy remains due to the relatively unclear results and uncertainty in risk estimation compared to high-dose radiation. However, recent epidemiological studies report direct evidence of health effects for various types of low-dose radiation exposure. In particular, international nuclear workers' studies, CT exposure studies, and children's cancer studies on natural radiation showed significantly increased cancer risk among the study populations despite their low-dose radiation exposure. These studies showed similar results even when the cumulative radiation dose was limited to an exposure group of less than 100 mGy, demonstrating that the observed excess risk was not affected by high exposure. A linear dose-response relationship between radiation exposure and cancer incidence has been observed, even at the low-dose interval. These recent epidemiological studies include relatively large populations, and findings are broadly consistent with previous studies on Japanese atomic bomb survivors. However, the health effects of low-dose radiation are assumed to be small compared to the risks that may arise from other lifestyle factors; therefore, the benefits of radiation use should be considered at the individual level through a balanced interpretation. Further low-dose radiation studies are essential to accurately determining the benefits and risks of radiation.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.227-235
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• 1997

Cytogenetic studies were performed in peripheral blood lymphocytes from hospital workers occupationally exposed to low doses of radiation (0.30 - 40.07mSv). The workers were divided into three groups according to their job area : 18 diagnostic radiology, 17 therapeutic radiology, and 16 nuclear medicine. The control group consisted of 49 non-radiation workers with no history of exposure to radiation. A higher percentage of cells with aberration(1.275%) was observed in the workers compared to the controls(0.677%) and the difference was statistically significant(p<0.001). The frequency of chromosomal aberration was $0.706{\times}10^{-2}$/cell in the exposed and $0.344{\times}10^{-2}$/cell in the control(p<0.05). Chromosomal exchange frequency was $0.083{\times}10^{-2}$/cell in the control vs $0.245{\times}10^{-2}$/cell in the workers. There was no evidence of significant increase of chromosome aberration related to age or to the duration of employment. The frequency of chromosomal exchange in workers of nuclear medicine was $0.313{\times}10^{-2}$/cell, which was significantly higher than in the control($0.083{\times}10^{-2}$/cell) or other working groups: therapeutic radiology($0.265{\times}10^{-2}$/cell), and diagnostic radiology($0.167{\times}10^{-2}$/cell). No dose-effect relation was found between chromosome aberration and total cumulative doses, recent 5 yr, recent 2 yr cumulative dose. But in case of last 1 yr cumulative dose, dose-dependant increase was observed when controls were considered(p<0.05). The radiation dose which workers have received was much lower than the maximum permissible dose, but there was a significant difference in the frequency of chromosome aberration between occupationally exposed workers and control. So, it is clear that chromosome aberration is a quite sensitive indicator of radiation exposure and it can be detected at very low dose level of occupational exposure.

• 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.

• 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 Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.229-234
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• 2006

Objectives: Cardiovascular disease is one of the main causes of death and morbidity in Korea. In this study, the prevalence and incidence of developing hypertension in a male-workers' cohort were investigated during 3-years follow-up with a view to find the risk factors that affected the development of hypertension. Methods: Among the 5,374 people who participated in a routine health check up, 3,852 people with normal blood pressure and who had no history of hypertension were prospectively followed up for 3 years. The classification of hypertension was based on the JNC7 report (the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure). Life style factors and underlying diseases that were related to the risk factors of hypertension were collected by using a self-report questionnaires via the internet. Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 28.3% (1,520/5,374) at the first screening (2001). It was found that the incidence in 2004 of hypertension for the follow-up subjects (3,711) who had normal blood pressure in 2001 was 7.6 per 100 person-year. Multiple logistic regression analysis of the variables related to the risk factors of hypertension was carried out. The relative risks were 1.037 (95% CI=1.022-1.053) as the age increased 1 year and 1.039 (95% CI=1.023-1.055) as the body mass index increased $1kg/m^2$. The relative risk for the prehypertensive group was 2.501 (95% CI=1.986-3.149) compared to the normotensive group. These results showed that age, body mass index and the baseline blood pressure were significantly related to the incidence of hypertension. Conclusions: The incidence of hypertension was 7.6 per 100 person-year during follow-up. It was concluded that the risk factors for developing hypertension in the short-term were age, BMI, and prehypertension; Especially, this showed that it is necessary for prehypertensives to manage their body weight and blood pressure to prevent hypertension in middle-age by modifying their life style.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.957-964
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• 2021

Fluorine-18 used in PET/CT scans is a radioactive isotope that emits positrons, and high energy annihilation gamma rays and beta rays cause exposure to radiation workers. In this study, as part of a plan to reduce the exposure dose of radiation workers working in the Department of Nuclear Medicine, the cause of the low shielding efficiency of Apron for F-18 was identified, and the effectiveness of the Apron double-shielded with acrylic was evaluated. L-Block, Apron+acrylic, Apron, Acrylic+Apron, and Acrylic five shields are used to measure the dose, and the tendencies were compared by performing a Monte Carlo simulation. As a result, it was found that the shielding rate of Apron double shielded with acrylic was about 4 to 8% higher than that of Apron single shielded. To the extent that it does not significantly affect the user's activity, double-shielded personal protective clothing with an appropriate acrylic thickness could help reduce radiation workers' exposure.