OtherCONTINUING EDUCATION

Maintaining a Proper Perspective of Risk Associated with Radiation Exposure

Michael A. Thompson
Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology September 2001, 29 (3) 137-142;

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Tables

  • TABLE 1

    Common Risk Factors Often Neglected

    Risk factorNature of risk
    Use of pesticidesChemical toxicity from inhalation, ingestion, or absorption
    ObesityHeart disease
    HypertensionStroke and kidney damage
    Exposure to pollutantsPulmonary disease, chemical toxicity, and heavy metal poisoning
    Lack of exerciseHeart disease and shortened life span
  • TABLE 2

    Behaviors That Pose Significant Risks to Personal Health

    Risky behaviorNature of risk
    Use of tobaccoPulmonary disease
    Unprotected sexAIDS/venereal disease
    Alcohol consumptionCirrhosis
    Use of motor vehiclesInjury or death
    Use of recreational and prescription drugsOverdose, chemical toxicity, and death
  • TABLE 3

    Recommended Quality Factors for Various Types of Radiation

    Type of radiationQ
    X-rays, γ-rays, β-particles, and electrons1
    Thermal neutrons5
    Neutrons (other than thermal), protons, α-particles, and multicharged particles of unknown energy20

    • Q = quality factor.

    • Data obtained from (8).

  • TABLE 4

    Typical Average Annual Occupational Radiation Doses of Various Personnel at UAB Medical Center in 2000

    PersonnelDose*
    Radiologic technologists0.3  (300)
    Nuclear medicine technologists0.3  (300)
    Radiation therapy technologists0.12  (120)
    Radiation therapy nurses0.12  (120)
    Radiation safety technicians0.24  (240)

    • ↵* Data are expressed as approximate values in cSv, with mrem in parentheses.

    • UAB = University of Alabama.

    • Data based upon a review of whole-body film badge reports by the UAB Radiation Safety Officer.

  • TABLE 5

    Estimated Loss of Life Expectancy As a Result of Certain Health Risks

    Health riskEstimated life expectancy loss (average)
    Smoking 20 cigarettes per day6 y
    Overweight by 15%2 y
    Alcohol consumption (U.S. average)1 y
    All accidents1 y
    Home accidents74 d
    Medical radiation7 d
    Occupational exposure
     0.3 cSv/y from 18 to 65 y of age15 d
     1.0 cSv/y from 18 to 65 y of age51 d

    • Data adapted and used with permission of Cohen (14).

  • TABLE 6

    Typical Patient Radiation Effective Dose Associated with Select Nuclear Medicine Tests

    StudyRadiopharmaceuticalMedian activity (MBq)cSv/MBqMedian body dose cSv
    Bone99mTc-MDP5551.9 × 10−40.10
    Brain99mTc-HMPAO5553.5 × 10−40.19
    Cardiac99mTc-MIBI7404.6 × 10−40.34
    201T-thallous chloride55.55.7 × 10−30.32
    Hepatobiliary99mTc-DISIDA277.54.3 × 10−40.12
    Inflammation67Ga-citrate1487.0 × 10−31.04
    Liver/spleen99mTc-SC55.55.1 × 10−40.03
    Lung perfusion99mTc-MAA744.1 × 10−40.03
    Lung ventilation133Xe gas3703.8 × 10−50.014
    Renal99mTc-MAG3277.51.9 × 10−40.05
    Thyroid123I-NaI3.78.1 × 10−40.003

    • Adapted from Lombardi (21).

    • Patient doses were determined using median recommended activities found in package inserts for each product.

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