• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.101-105
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to determine the relationship between the number of portable X-rays and the radiation exposure dose for emergency medical service providers working in the emergency department (ED). Methods: A prospective study was conducted from February 15, 2013 to May 15, 2013 in the ED in an urban hospital. Six residents, seven emergency medical technicians (EMT), and 24 nurses were enrolled. They wore a personal radiation dosimeter on their upper chest while working in the ED, and they stayed away from the portable X-ray unit at a distance of at least 1.8 m when the X-ray beam was generated. Results: The total number of portable x-rays was 2089. The average total radiation exposure dose of emergency medical service providers was $0.504{\pm}0.037$ mSv, and it was highest in the EMT group, 0.85(0.58-1.08) mSv. The average of the total number of portable X-rays was highest in the doctor group, 728.5(657.25-809). The relationship between the number of portable X-rays and the radiation exposure dose was not statistically significant(-0.186, p=0.269). Conclusion: Under the condition of staying away from the portable X-ray unit at a distance of least 1.8 m, the relationship between the number of portable X-rays and the radiation exposure dose was not statistically significant.

• Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2011

The purpose of our study was to determine the entrance surface dose and absorbed dose in ovary when using the metal speculum and plastic speculum in hysterosalpingography respectively. The examinations was performed in anthropomorphic phantom into which calibrated photoluminescence glass dosimeter were placed on symphysis pubis level surface and ovary area. We checked average fluoroscopy time and spot expose times during the hysterosalpingography. It was average fluoroscopy time 58 sec, spot expose 5 times. We divided the subjects into two different groups to used metal and plastic speculum. We measured 10 times of absorbed dose in the same condition of the anthropomorphic phantom. We compared two groups adsorbed dose on ovary with speculum material-related. The entrance surface dose on of plastic Speculum using group was average 17.23 mGy, absorbed dose on ovary was average 3.51 mGy. The entrance surface dose on ovary of metal Speculum using group was average 19.95 mGy, absorbed dose on ovary was average 4.14 mGy. Plastic speculum using group shows a decrease absorbed dose(17.9%) as compared with metal speculum using group. The method of plastic speculum using in hysterosalpingography. might provide us with lower radiation dose, especially in patients with childbearing stage.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.461-468
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• 2019

Gamma-radiation dose rates were measured at 77 points around the Ogcheon lower phyllite zone (og2) in Goesan County, Korea, using gamma-ray spectrometry. Sample K contents were in the range 1.8-8.8% (average 4.6%), highest in Kgr. The eU contents were 0.2-217.9 ppm (average 16.7 ppm), highest in og2 (median 29.6 ppm). The eTh contents were 11.9-76.5 ppm (average 29.5 ppm) and the average eTh content of Kgr was 45.4 ppm, higher than those of Ogcheon meta-sedimentary rocks (og1, og2, and og3) (26.6-30.6 ppm). Except for some high-uranium sites in og2, ⁴⁰K is the main radioactive material contributing to the gamma-radiation dose in the study area. Our results indicate that the outdoor effective dose rate of the area is 0.08-1.71 mSv y^-1 (average 0.28 mSv y^-1), with most areas apart from three points in og2 displaying dose rates <1 mSv y^-1, which is the normal natural radiation background level.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.826-830
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• 2010

This study examined the effect of the scattering dose on the thyroid during a mammography examination. One hundred subjects for a mammography examination were enrolled in this study. The average glandular dose (AGD) and thyroid scattering dose (TSD) were measured. Statistical analysis was carried out using the percentage, t-test and co-variance. The mean radiation exposure to the breast and thyroid was $1.08{\pm}0.16$ and $0.14{\pm}0.04$ mGy, respectively. The percentage TSD to the AGD was 31.19%. There was no difference between the Rt. and Lt., and CC to MLO, and radiation dose to the TSD was 13.78% of the breast. Therefore, the volume of radiation exposure to the thyroid was 54.12% in a single routine mammography examination. These results suggest that the TSD was increased by increasing radiation dose to the breast. A thyroid protector is considered necessary to decrease the level of radiation exposure.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.397-403
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• 2018

Mobile X-ray generators are used not in the radiation area but in open space, which causes the exposure of secondary radiation to the healthcare professionals, patients, guardians, etc., regardless of their intentions. This study aimed to investigate the shielding effect of the developed radiation restrictor to block the secondary radiation scattered during the use of mobile X-ray generator. Upon setting the condition of mobile X-ray generator with chest AP, spatial doses were measured by the existence of human equivalent phantom and radiation restrictor, and measured by the existences of phantom and radiation restrictor at the same length of 100 cm. Measurements were taken at intervals of 10 cm every $30^{\circ}$ from $-90^{\circ}$ (head direction) to $+90^{\circ}$ (body direction). Upon the study results, spatial doses in all direction were increased by 45% on average when using phantom in the same condition, however, they were decreased by 64% on average when using the developed radiation restrictor. The dose at 100 cm from the center of X-ray was $3.0{\pm}0.08{\mu}Gy$ without phantom and was increased by 40% with $4.2{\pm}0.08{\mu}Gy$ after phantom usage. The dose when using phantom and the developed radiation restrictor was $1.4{\pm}0.08{\mu}Gy$, which was decreased by 66% compared to the case without using them. Therefore, it is considered the scattered radiation can be shielded at 100-150 cm, the regulation of the distance between beds, effectively with the developed radiation restrictor when using mobile X-ray generators, which can lower the radiation exposure to the people nearby including healthcare professionals and patients.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.351-356
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• 2021

Korean nuclear power plants (NPPs) have various radiation protection programs to attain radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA). In terms of ALARA, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of administrative dose control for occupationally-exposed workers in Korean NPPs. In addition to dose limits, administrative dose constraints are implemented to resolve an inequity of radiation exposure in which some individuals in NPPs receive relatively higher doses than others. Occupational dose constraints in Korean NPPs are presented in this paper with the background of how those values were determined. For pressurized water reactors, 80% and 90% of the annual average limit for an effective dose, 20 mSv/y, are set as the primary and secondary dose constraints, respectively. Pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) have also established the primary and secondary dose constraints corresponding to 70% and 80% of the effective dose limit, and additional constraints for tritium concentration are provided to control internal exposure in PHWRs. Follow-up measures for exceeding these administrative dose constraints are also introduced compared to exceeding the dose limits. Finally, analysis results of dose distributions show how the implementation of administrative dose constraints impacted the occupational dose distributions in Korean NPPs during the years 2009-2018.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 2023

Background: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a specialized medical equipment and plays a significant role in the diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial diseases and abnormalities; however, it is attributed to risk of exposure of ionizing radiation. The aim of the study was to estimate and determine the amount of scattered radiation dose to the thyroid gland in dental CBCT during maxilla and mandible scan. Materials and Methods: The average scattered radiation dose for i-CAT 17-19 Platinum CBCT (Imaging Sciences International) was measured using a Multi-O-Meter (Unfors Instruments), placed at the patient's neck on the skin surface of the thyroid cartilage, with an exposure parameter of 120 kVp and 37.07 mAs. The surface entrance dose was noted using the Multi-O-Meter, which was placed at the time of the scan at the level of the thyroid gland on the anterior surface of the neck. Results and Discussion: The surface entrance dose to the thyroid from both jaws scans was 191.491±78.486 µGy for 0.25 mm voxel and 26.9 seconds, and 153.670±74.041 µGy from the mandible scan, whereas from the maxilla scan the surface entrance dose was 5.259±10.691 µGy. Conclusion: The surface entrance doses to the thyroid gland from imaging of both the jaws, and also from imaging of the maxilla and mandible alone were within the threshold limit. The surface entrance dose and effective dose in CBCT were dependent on the exposure parameters (kVp and mAs), scan length, and field of view. To further reduce the radiation dose, care should be taken in selecting an appropriate protocol as well as the provision of providing shielding to the thyroid gland.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2013

Purpose: High-energy radiotherapy with 10 MV or higher develops photoneutron through photonuclear reaction. Photoneutron has higher radiation weighting factor than X-ray, thus low dose can greatly affect the human body. An accurate dosimetric calculation and consultation are needed. This study compared and analyzed the dose change of photoneutron in terms of space according to the size of photon beam energy and treatment methods. Materials and Methods: To measure the dose change of photoneutron by the size of photon beam energy, patients with the same therapy area were recruited and conventional plans with 10 MV and 15 MV were each made. To measure the difference between the two treatment methods, 10 MV conventional plan and 10 MV IMRT plan was made. A detector was placed at the point which was 100 cm away from the photon beam isocenter, which was placed in the center of $^3He$ proportional counter, and the photoneutron dose was measured. $^3He$ proportional counter was placed 50 cm longitudinally superior to and inferior to the couch with the central point as the standard to measure the dose change by position changes. A commercial program was used for dose change analysis. Results: The average integral dose by energy size was $220.27{\mu}Sv$ and $526.61{\mu}Sv$ in 10 MV and 15 MV conventional RT, respectively. The average dose increased 2.39 times in 15 MV conventional RT. The average photoneutron integral dose in conventional RT and IMRT with the same energy was $220.27{\mu}Sv$ and $308.27{\mu}Sv$ each; the dose in IMRT increased 1.40 times. The average photoneutron integral dose by measurement location resulted significantly higher in point 2 than 3 in conventional RT, 7.1% higher in 10 MV, and 3.0% higher in 15 MV. Conclusion: When high energy radiotherapy, it should consider energy selection, treatment method and patient position to reduce unnecessary dose by photoneutron. Also, the dose data of photoneutron needs to be systematized to find methods to apply computerization programs. This is considered to decrease secondary cancer probabilities and side effects due to radiation therapy and to minimize unnecessary dose for the patients.

• Carbon letters
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.262-267
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• 2014

Pyrolized fuel oil (PFO) was reformed by novel electron beam (E-beam) radiation, and the elemental composition, chemical bonds, average molecular weight, solubility, softening point, yields, and density of the modified patches were characterized. These properties of modified pitch were dependent on the reforming method (heat or E-beam radiation treatment) and absorbed dose. Aromaticity ($F_a$), average molecular weight, solubility, softening point, and density increased in proportion to the absorbed dose of E-beam radiation, with the exception of the highest absorbed dose, due to modification by free radical polymerization and the powerful energy intensity of E-beam treatment. The H/C ratio and yield exhibited the opposite trend for the same reason. These results indicate that novel E-beam radiation reforming is suitable for the preparation of aromatic pitch with a high ${\beta}$-resin content.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.35
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• pp.33-39
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find out the dose variation according to thickness of the air gap between the patient's body surface and immobilization device in the treatment plan. Materials and Methods : Four conditions were created by adjusting the air gap thickness using 5 mm bolus, ranging from 0 mm to 3 mm bolus. Immobilization was placed on top in each case. And computed tomography was used to acquire images. The treatment plan that 430 cGy (Relative Biological Effectiveness,RBE) is irradiated 6 times and the dose of 2580 cGy (RBE) is delivered to 95% of Clinical Target Volume (CTV). The dose on CTV was evaluated by Full Width Half Maximum (FWHM) of the lateral dose profile and skin dose was evaluated by Dose Volume Histogram (DVH). Result: Results showed that the FWHM values of the lateral dose profile of CTV were 4.89, 4.86, 5.10, and 5.10 cm. The differences in average values at the on the four conditions were 3.25±1.7 cGy (RBE) among D_95% and 1193.5±10.2 cGy (RBE) among D_95% respectively. The average skin volume at 1% of the prescription dose was 83.22±4.8%, with no significant differences in both CTV and skin. Conclusion: When creating a solid-type immobilization device for carbon particle therapy, a slight air gap is recommended to ensure that it does not extend beyond the dose application range of the CTV.