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The manipulation of unsealed sources of radiation for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in the practice of nuclear medicine in Cuba represents a risk, from a radiological point of view, for occupationally exposed personnel linked to this activity. For this reason, the existence of a surveillance program that verifies that said risk is minimized, based on compliance with existing national regulations and observance of international recommendations, is essential. The basis of this program is the performance of an individual monitoring that allows to quantify the activity of the radionuclide incorporated by the exposed personnel, with the final objective of estimating its committed effective dose. In the case of Cuba, 131I is the radionuclide that poses the greatest risk from the point of view of incorporation, for which special attention has been devoted to it. Since 2011, the Internal Dosimetry Laboratory of the Center for Radiation Protection and Hygiene has developed various projects that include training, calibration of equipment in hospital institutions, risk assessment of incorporation at the national level and development of a radiological surveillance guide as basis for implementing the programs. The summit of all these efforts and the most effective way to verify its usefulness was the performance of an Intercomparison Exercise on Measured Thyroid Activity and Committed Effective Dose due to the Incorporation of 131I in the Nuclear Medicine Departments of the country. Three of the main institutions in which the afore-mentioned radionuclide is used participated in the exercise. The results obtained were satisfactory, demonstrating the existing progress on the subject and pointing out the areas where it is necessary to focus efforts to correct deficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction in Cuba of imaging hybrid systems in nuclear medicine has become a challenge for medical physicist in order to guaranty the patient´s radiation safety and proper dose estimation. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the CT radiation doses for studies performed with a SPECT/CT hybrid system (SPECT/CT). A MATLAB “in house” made tool was tested and validated for this purpose. 62 patients with CT studies were manually and automatically reviewed; the tool could visualize and properly recover the patient personal information, CT protocol and dose related data from the DICOM header in the SPECT/CT study file. The CT volume dose index (CTDIvol) parameter was used for calculating the CT dose-length product (DPL) and the effective doses (E). The CT radiation dose preliminary results were on the range of those reported by others authors for the typical studies, demonstrating the efficacy of the tool developed and the CT dose assessment method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The improvement of the Health System in Cuba from 1996 to the present, characterized by technological renovation and modernization; has allowed the introduction and development of innovative studies in diagnostic radiology (including dental) and interventional procedures guided by images. However, the benefit associated with the use of ionizing radiation has also led to an increase in doses and radiological risk for occupationally exposed workers, patients and members of the public. Therefore, the practice of diagnostic radiology should be carried out with high standards of radiation protection and safety culture. There are regulatory documents issued by the Ministry of Public Health wish establish the general precepts for the authorization of the practice of diagnostic radiology. However, the radiological protection programs have not been adequately developed and established in the institutions of the country where this practice has been implemented, and the application processes for the corresponding authorizations has not been organized. In order to develop Radiation Protection Programs for the practice of medical radiodiagnosis, we worked in two reference centers of our health system, where have been performed complex diagnostic and interventional procederes. Taking into account the magnitude of the risk associated with the development of the practice in each one of them, the procedures, instructions, records and the responsibilities of the personnel were established. The results obtained have contributed to the strengthening of the radiation protection and safety of the practice in both institutions where the programs have been implemented. They have started the process to obtain the Institutional Licenses, constituting the first experience in our country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All governments are responsible for protecting their populations against health hazards and business fraud in the food sector. Considering the expansion of international food trade in Cuba and the necessary protection of consumers, animals, plants and the environment in general, in our country a sanitary control system for food has been designed, taking into account the regulations in force in this matter, both national and international. The Environmental Radiological Surveillance Laboratory (LVRA) of the Radiation Protection and Hygiene Center (CPHR) has been in charge, since 2000, of the radiological surveillance of foods that are marketed in the national territory. This Surveillance Program is executed within the framework of the National Pollutants in Food and Water Surveillance Program, directed by the National Directorate of Environmental Health (DNSA) of the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP). The tests carried out by the LVRA aim to verify compliance with the permissible levels for radionuclides in food in force in Cuba, as one of the elements that contributes to guaranteeing the food safety of both imported and nationally produced products. The work presents and analyzes the results that have been obtained in these years of radiological surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Center for Radiation Protection and Hygiene was founded in 1985 to support the safe application of nuclear technologies in Cuba. Nowdays, the institution is considered as a national and regional reference for radiation protection, thanks to the comprehensive institutional strategy that support the solutions of the problems with priority in the country. The paper presents the overview about the main results of the center up today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From 1990 till 2011, a free health care program for children from areas affected by the Chernobyl accident was organized and implemented by the Cuban Government. A significant number of qualified personal in medicine and science collaborated with this program. The information gathered for more than 21 years and the conclusive results obtained in the program are presented here. During this time, 26 114 patients, 84 % children, mostly from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus were treated in the mentioned program. Other aspects of the Cuban medical assistance in Ukraine and the main results obtained in the radiological impact evaluation of the accident on the children treated in Cuba are also included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cuban Regulatory Authority is carrying out a National Program intended to foster and develop a Safety Culture taking into account the wide recognition of the human factors contribution to radiological events. The program includes the introduction of new regulatory practices and initiatives in order to increase the safety culture in Cuban facilities. The most recent of those initiatives is the System for Radiological Event Analysis, Dissemination and Learning, called ADASIR (acronym for the System's name in Spanish). The main purpose of this system is to provide a better understanding and knowledge of any radiological event reported both in the country and abroad, thus reducing the possibility of occurrence of a similar event in our facilities. A team of regulatory and external experts make together a detailed review of all available information on the event and identify possible root causes, failed barriers and other important data of national interest. The results of such review are documented and sent to any Cuban facilities or organizations where these events can occur, considering the equipment and practices they have. The document includes an specific checklist which could be used by the facilities to make a self-assessment and evaluate their strength and weakness to similar events. This paper presents the main characteristics and results of this new experience of Cuban Regulatory Authority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radioprotectors are agents that reduce toxicity, mutagenicity, and other adverse biological effects from ionizing radiation on living organisms. The development of radioprotective agents has been the subject of intense research because of their potential use in radiation environments like spatial explorations, radiotherapy, and even nuclear war. However, the search for effective, ideal, and safe radioprotectors keeps on, as well as the development of clinical trials involving the use of some of them. On the other hand, several research groups have leaded their efforts to find alternative sources to the current chemical compounds and their synthetic analogs, with emphasis in the use of vegetal extratcs. This review summarizes some of the most promising species, including Cuban endemic plants which have rendered significant radioprotection properties. The mechanisms involved in such effect are also discussed. In addition to the researches accomplished, further studies are required to assess the radioprotective potential of specific plant extracts aiming to be used in different applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an attempt to estimate the effective collective dose imparted to the population of Camaguey-Ciego de Avila territory, Cuba, we have made use of the statistics from nuclear medicine examinations given to a population of 1.1 million inhabitants for the years 1995-1999. The average annual frequency of examinations was estimated to be 3.82 per 1000 population. The results show that nuclear medicine techniques of thyroid imaging with 43.73% and thyroid uptake with 43.36% are the main techniques implicated in the relative contribution to the total annual effective collective dose, which averaged 54.43 man Sv for the studied period. Radiation risks for the Camaguey-Ciego de Avila population caused by nuclear medicine examinations in the period studied were calculated: the total number of fatal and non-fatal cancers was 16.33 and the number of serious hereditary disturbance was 3.54 as a result of 21,073 nuclear medicine procedures, corresponding to a total detriment of one case per thousand examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper shows a panoramic about the development and evolution that had got the National Center for Nuclear Safety at its fifteen years of work, as the competent authority in the matter of nuclear and radiological safety and accountability and control of nuclear materials in the Republic of Cuba. To presents the principal tasks on a legislative level and the regulatory control and the main results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cuban waste management program comprises the operational capability for dealing with these radioactive wastes and the regulatory infrastructure for controlling the way in which it is dealt with. A national centralized strategy for collection, transportation, handling, treatment, conditioning, storage and disposal of radioactive waste exists in the country. The Center for Radiation Protection and Hygiene is responsible for developing and implementing this centralized strategy. The origin, inventory and characteristics of radioactive wastes, the national policy and infrastructure, the existing waste management facilities, as well as the main activities carried out at present in Cuba are described in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural radioactivity of some building materials commonly used in Cuba was measured by gamma spectrometry. Typical concentrations encountered so far encountered are in the ranges: 47-2511 Bq kg-1 for 40K; 9-71 Bq kg-1 for 226Ra; and 2-38 Bq kg-1 for 232Th. The external gamma ray absorbed doses in indoor air and the corresponding effective dose-equivalents in a typical dwelling are presented in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nuclear and radiological safety regulatory framework in Cuba, until the year 2002, had not had a safety Guide for the industrial X-ray practice The improvement of our national regulatory framework, following the international recommendations and the national experience in the inspection and license activities of this practice led to the necessity of the existence of a safety Guide that would allow in an effective way to accomplish the safety criteria established in the Basic Safety Standards (BSS), during the operation of the industrial X-ray equipments. This paper exposes the main aspects that are included in this Safety Guide which are, in fact, specifications to the principles established in the BSS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the beginning of the Cuban nuclear program there was established the basis for a gradual building of a national infrastructure to cover all the new responsibilities acquired in the area of nuclear and radiation safety. One of the essential parts of this national infrastructure was the creation of the cuban regulatory authority in charge with the regulation and control of the use of nuclear energy in the country. Other important issues were developed successively; one of them was the establishment of the legal and regulatory framework in this area. The improvement process of cuban legal and regulatory framework led to the establishment of our Hierarchical Nuclear Regulatory System. This paper gives an overview on the present situation of this system, and the main actions carried out for its implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electroplating of polonium at two different times onto copper disks and further measurement of alpha activity was the method used for 210Po determination in atmospheric air and tobacco products. The polonium daughter is used to determine both the 210Pb and 210Po using the Bateman equations for radioactive growth and decay. The values of 210Pb and 210Po measured in the ground-level air reported average concentrations of 0.65 and 0.06 mBq.m-3, respectively. A cigarette contains an average activity of 13.0 mBq of 210Pb and 10.4 mBq of 210Po for different Cuban cigarette brands. The weighted-average annual effective dose estimated due to inhalation of these nuclides was computed to be 38 mSv, corresponding to the 26.8% of the total effective dose received by intake of 210Pb and 210Po in area of natural radioactive background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The correct administration to a patient of the a priori established activity of the radiopharmaceutical is an important factor to ensure the confidence in the diagnosis or the therapy efficiency, keeping at the same time the human exposure as low as possible. National comparisons for the 131I, 201Tl and 99mTc activity measurements in activimeters have been organized for the first time with the aim of obtaining information about the quality of the administration of radiopharmaceuticals. The comparison results, shown in this paper, have facilitated the identification of the problems and to initiate preventive actions. Furthermore, these results reflect the need of establishing Quality Systems in Nuclear Medicine in Cuba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of the relatively good solubility of radium compounds contained in the crust of the earth, frequently it is possible to find in spring waters concentrations of radium 226 which may be significant. Taking in account that persons consume important volumes of water annually, it is necessary to assess the doses to population due to the intake of radium 226 by this pathway. Samples were taken in the principal water sources in Havana City and for each sample the radium 226 concentration was determined. The concentrations of radium 226 in waters are in the range 40-150 mBq/L with a mean of 90 ± 40 mBq/L. Calculated committed dose, averaged over the age distribution of city's population, was estimated in 21±2µSv per year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1987 it begins to work in the Republic of Cuba the National Environmental Radiation Monitoring Network. The Network was implemented with on real time monitoring stations for the gamma dose rate and the radioactive concentration in aerosols and stations that monitoring in an integral way for the fall-out and the integrated gamma dose. The present work collects the results of the monitoring carried out during the period 1989-1998, as well as a brief description of the sampling and analysis methods used. In all the monitoring period any radiological anomaly was not detected. The obtained results demonstrate that Cuba is in an area with similar levels to those reported by the specialized literature of areas with normal radiological background. The work presents the characteristic values of the radiological background of Cuba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking into account the national experience in managing radiological emergencies situations and the recommendations documents on the preparedness and response to radiological emergencies recently published by the IAEA, the cuban regulatory authority had improved the regulatory framework relate to the management of radiological emergencies. The cuban regulatory framework was characterized by the lack of regulations and technical guides ruling the planning and the establishment of the response to radiological emergencies by the holders of authorizations and intervening forces. This paper presents a technical proposal of the authors in order to improve the existing regulatory framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When adopting and adapting IAEA International Basic Safety Standard, the Cuban regulatory authority paid especial attention to the establishment of a regulatory police developing the conditions under which the individual monitoring should be required for the assessment of the occupational exposure. Paper analyzes the regulatory requirements related to individual monitoring that has been included in the current regulation. As the result, it is concluded that the Cuban regulatory programme has developed and included the basic technical and organizational requirement that support the individual monitoring [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation and calibration of two whole body counters for determination of Cs-137 body activity in children is described. The results of measurements of 4506 children coming from affected areas due to Chernobyl accident from Republics of Ukrainian, Russian and Belaruss, and who received medical atention in Cuba is presented. Instalations, equipment and calibration phantoms used are described. The values of measured activity is relationed with the place of origin groups of age and the form of feeding. The measured activity values range from 1,5 to 565 Bq/kg, and have a log-normal character for each region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]