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In 2023, Korea had 104953 diagnostic radiological devices installed across 43529 medical institutions, with 398947394 examinations performed. The number of devices and examinations rank among the highest by OECD standards. The average medical radiation dose per individual was 3.13 mSv, representing an increase of approximately 27.2% compared to 2020, contrary to the global trend of decreasing radiation exposure. This study aimed to review various research activities by the Korean Society of Radiology, its members, and other researchers to reduce radiation exposure and explore additional strategies to further mitigate this issue.

This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and awareness of medical radiation and irradiated foods among nursing college students and those pursuing health-related and health-unrelated majors and to provide basic data for developing and promoting appropriate educational programs on the use of radiation. The knowledge of medical radiation was the highest among those over 30 years of age (3.0 points), and members of the Department of Clinical Laboratory Science (3.0 points). The awareness of the risk of medical radiation was the highest among female (3.34 points), among members of the Department of Nursing and Health Science (3.40 points), and among third-year students (3.41 points). The awareness of the benefits of medical radiation was the highest in male (3.90 points). The awareness of irradiated foods and its safety was low in all departments. The need for education regarding irradiated foods and the willingness to provide information on such foods were high. In conclusion, it is thought that specific promotional activities and educational programs are needed to improve the accuracy of knowledge regarding medical radiation among college students and increase their awareness on the safety of irradiated foods.

Objective To investigate the current status of radiation protection in medical institutions in Sichuan Province, providing a reference for the scientific management and resource optimization of radiation diagnosis and treatment protection within the province. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted to analyze medical institutions engaged in radiation diagnosis and treatment activities (excluding dental clinics) across 21 cities (prefectures) in Sichuan Province, Results By the end of 2023, there were 3 424 medical institutions in Sichuan Province conducting radiation diagnosis and treatment, including 280 tertiary institutions (8.18%), 647 secondary institutions (18.90%), 1 104 primary institutions (32.24%), and 1 393 unclassified institutions (40.68%). A total of 31 763 radiation workers were employed. The province had 9 056 radiation diagnosis and treatment devices, with 3 346 in tertiary institutions (36.95%), 2 057 in secondary institutions (22.71%), 1 510 in primary institutions (16.67%), and 2 143 in unclassified institutions (23.67%). The pass rate for initial inspections of sentinel hospital equipment was 96.00%, while the re -inspection pass rate was 97.41%. Devices over 10 years old accounted for 24.70%, those between 5 to 10 years for 62.10%, and those under 5 years for 13.20%. The annual total of radiation diagnosis and treatment visits reached 49.8 897 million. The province had 48 877 pieces of personal protective equipment for radiation, with an average of more than 13 protective items per device in nuclear medicine and inteiTentional radiology. Compared to 2014, the number of institutions conducting radiation diagnosis and treatment increased by 27%, the number of radiation workers grew by 251%, and the frequency of radiation diagnosis and treatment activities rose by 215%. Conclusion The update of radiation equipment is slow, with most devices in use for 5 to 10 years, indicating a need for improved maintenance and monitoring awareness among medical institutions. All levels of medical institutions meet the requirements for the quantity of radiation protection supplies, and there is sufficient provision of protective items in interventional radiology and nuclear medicine projects. Given the increasing frequency of radiation diagnosis and treatment, it is recommended that relevant departments strengthen monitoring of radiation equipment protection to enhance the level of radiation diagnosis and treatment in medical institutions and ensure safe practices in these activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This paper aimed to evaluate awareness of medical exposure to ionizing radiation among the general public in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted. The anonymous electronic questionnaire comprising of 22 questions was classified into three major sections: knowledge, attitudes, and the encountered practices. The questionnaire was distributed to random patients who underwent the medical examinations that involved ionizing radiation. The data were analyzed employing descriptive statistics using SPSS. Results: The questionnaire received 143 completed responses, and the analyzed results of this study suggested that the level of knowledge and awareness of medical ionizing radiation exposure among the general public in Saudi Arabia (Aseer region) is inadequate. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the level of awareness is insufficient and that there is a need for educating the public about the risks associated with medical ionizing radiation exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead has conventionally been the primary material for shielding radioactive isotopes in medical contexts. In response to environmental concerns, our study proposes an eco-friendly alternative—a gamma ray shielding material utilizing tungsten. Unlike prior research, in our study, the shielding performance through a laminated structure is evaluated, employing a randomly stacked arrangement of tungsten particles. The shielding product was developed by electrospinning a tungsten and polyurethane polymer mixture, with precise control over the radiation speed and time. The irregular stacking of tungsten particles is expected to reduce incident radiation intensity through scattering and absorption. Radiation shielding experiments on isotopes (99mTc, 18F, and 131I) compared our material to standard lead at varying distances. For 99mTc, at a 0.1 m distance, our 1.0 mm thick material exhibits a shielding performance of 67.54%, surpassing that of a 0.25 mm lead plate (58.95%) and matching that of a 0.50 mm plate (69.24%). These findings demonstrate the promising potential of our tungsten-based material in nuclear medicine, proving its efficacy as a shield for radioactive isotopes. Our research introduces an eco-friendly alternative to lead-based shielding in medical settings, showcasing the effectiveness of our tungsten-based material in reducing incident radiation intensity. The demonstrated outcomes position it as a viable option for enhancing safety in nuclear medicine applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiation-shielding clothing for medical workers must be light and thin, thus ensuring flexibility. However, controlling the thickness and weight is limited by shielding performance requirements. This study aims to improve shielding performance by considering a shielding structure that mimics the internal structure of an abalone shell. Two shields were produced: a sheet made with a carrier process using a liquid polymer and tungsten mixture, and a fillet made by compounding the same material and laminated using a heat-treatment press after the injection process. The tungsten content and thickness were the same at 85 wt% and 0.3 mm, respectively. In the high-energy region, the shielding film based on the laminated structure of abalone shells showed a shielding rate that was higher by more than 7%. Compared to that of a 0.3 mm lead plate, the shielding ratio of the shielding film was approximately 16% lower at 120 kVp, thereby confirming the radiation-shielding effect of the layered-structure shielding film. Therefore, it is concluded that the laminated structure of the shielding film, which is identical to the internal laminated structure of the abalone shell, expands the impact area of incident radiation and attenuates the energy intensity, thereby improving the medical-radiation-shielding performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical shielding suits must be lightweight and satisfy the requirements of thin films to guarantee user mobility and safety. The thin film weight is related to the density and thickness, which are associated with the particle dispersion in shielding materials. An even distribution of metal particles in a polymer can maintain the spacing among them. This paper proposes a pencil beam spray-coating method that involves spraying a constant amount of a polyethylene and tungsten mixture in a thin beam onto a nonwoven fabric at a constant speed. This technique yields higher productivity than does the electrospinning method and is expected to produce materials with better shielding performance than that of materials obtained using the calender method. The shielding performance was evaluated by manufacturing shielding sheets (thickness: 0.48–0.54 mm) using the calender and pencil beam spray-coating methods under the same conditions. The densities and performances of the sheets differed significantly. The sheet manufactured using the proposed method had an even particle dispersion and exhibited 2–4% better shielding performance than did that manufactured using the calender method. Therefore, the pencil beam spray-coating method can effectively satisfy the requirements of thin films for medical radiation-shielding materials while increasing the material flexibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between occupational radiation exposure and circulatory disease (CD) mortality among medical radiation workers. METHODS: The study included 53 860 male diagnostic medical radiation workers enrolled in the National Dosimetry Registry (NDR) between 1996 and 2011 in South Korea. NDR data were linked with mortality data obtained from the national registry at the end of 2019. Observed CD mortality rates in this population were compared to those in the general population using the standardized mortality ratio (SMR). The relative risk (RR) for occupational history was estimated by use of internal comparisons, and the excess relative risk (ERR) was used to quantify the radiation dose–response relationship. RESULTS: A total of 320 deaths due to CD were identified among 53 860 male medical radiation workers. The SMR of CD was significantly lower among male workers than the general population. A linear dose–response model provided an estimated ERR per 100 mGy for CD [0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.11–1.82], ischemic heart disease (1.18, 95% CI -0.69–3.05), and cerebrovascular disease (0.23, 95% CI -0.48–0.94) with a 10-years lag, showing no statistical evidence of a radiation dose–response relationship. Additional adjustments for non-radiation factors did not affect the findings on occupational radiation risk for CD mortality. Sensitivity analyses excluding workers employed

Abstract Simulation‐based education is a significant aspect of teaching clinical skills in tertiary medical radiation science programmes, allowing students to experience the clinical setting in a safe environment. As an educational tool, simulation exists in many valid forms including role play, interprofessional simulation and virtual reality simulation. This scoping review looks at the current literature in this field to identify the evidence surrounding simulation‐based education for medical radiation students. The purpose of this review is to provide an evidence‐based guide for educators, identify gaps in the literature and suggest areas of future research. Data extraction was performed on 33 articles where the interventions could be categorised into either role play simulation, virtual simulation, simulation videos or online learning environments. Most studies demonstrated that simulation could improve clinical competence and increase preparedness and confidence for clinical placement. Student satisfaction remained high throughout the studies; however, it is the view of many that although simulation‐based education is a valid and effective tool, it is complementary to and not a replacement for clinical placement.

Personnel using X-ray devices, the main source of radiation in medical institutions, are primarily affected by scattered rays. When interventionists use radiation for examinations/treatments, their hands may enter the radiation-generating area. The shielding gloves used for protection against these rays restrict movement and cause discomfort. Here, a shielding cream that directly adheres to the skin was developed and examined as a personal protective device; further, its shielding performance was verified. Bismuth oxide and barium sulfate were selected as shielding materials and comparatively evaluated in terms of thickness, concentration, and energy. With increasing wt% of the shielding material, the protective cream became thicker, resulting in improved protection. Furthermore, the shielding performance improved with increasing mixing temperature. Because the shielding cream is applied to the skin and has a protective effect, it must be stable on the skin and easy to remove. During manufacturing, the bubbles were removed, and the dispersion improved by 5% with increasing stirring speed. During mixing, the temperature increased as the shielding performance increased by 5% in the low-energy region. In terms of the shielding performance, bismuth oxide was superior to barium sulfate by approximately 10%. This study is expected to facilitate the mass production of cream in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The marble used at construction sites creates a large amount of sludge after processing. Because waste marble has a high calcium oxide content, it is often used as a concrete mix building material. In this study, the use of waste sludge in the fabrication of radiation shields was investigated for medical shielding applications. A shielding sheet was produced by mixing a polymer and waste marble powder. A method for improving the density of the shielding sheet was developed to improve the shielding performance. To improve the density of the shielding sheet using the WMP mixture, the gap between particles was narrowed by making the WMP particles small and by mixing in a material with a proven shielding effect, such as bismuth oxide. In addition, a stirring defoaming process was used to reduce the voids between particles, and we presented a method to control the density by processing the WMP at a high temperature of 1200 °C. The experimental results revealed that the waste marble powder exhibited the highest shielding effect when mixed with radiation shielding materials such as bismuth oxide. The reduction of voids and the size of the particles used in preparing the shielding sheet proved to be effective in reducing the gap between the particles, resulting in an improvement of shielding of approximately 15% to 20%. The investigated shielding material based on waste marble powder was shown to be effective in shielding low-dose radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents information about the radiation environment and radiation doses of the population received in 2020 in the territories monitored by FMBA. The information is based on analysis, processing, and generalization of data from radiation hygienic certificates of companies and territories monitored by the FMBA for 2020. The average annual individual radiation doses of population in 2020 due to natural and technogenic modified radiation background are presented. The information about the structure, number of X-ray radiation procedures are presented classified by types and groups of organs, collective and average radiation dose of population received in 2020 in the territories monitored by FMBA. In quantitative terms, fluorograms and radiograms prevail. Significant decrease in the number of X-ray procedures is observed in 2020 in comparison with 2018 mainly to decrease in the number of fluorography and radiography procedures. Herewith, in comparison with 2018 the collective and average doses have increased, which is attributed to significant increase in the number of computer tomography procedures. Significant increase in the contribution of computer tomography to the collective dose is mentioned in comparison with previous years (more than 20% growth from 2018 to 2020) at its insignificant contribution in terms of the number of procedures. This fact is attributed to significant increase of tomographic examinations during the coronavirus pandemic. The radiation doses received during fluorography, radiography, radioscopy, tomography, and other procedures are analyzed. The dose characteristics during X-ray cardiac procedures in Russia and France are compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulation‐based education is a significant aspect of teaching clinical skills in tertiary medical radiation science programmes, allowing students to experience the clinical setting in a safe environment. As an educational tool, simulation exists in many valid forms including role play, interprofessional simulation and virtual reality simulation. This scoping review looks at the current literature in this field to identify the evidence surrounding simulation‐based education for medical radiation students. The purpose of this review is to provide an evidence‐based guide for educators, identify gaps in the literature and suggest areas of future research. Data extraction was performed on 33 articles where the interventions could be categorised into either role play simulation, virtual simulation, simulation videos or online learning environments. Most studies demonstrated that simulation could improve clinical competence and increase preparedness and confidence for clinical placement. Student satisfaction remained high throughout the studies; however, it is the view of many that although simulation‐based education is a valid and effective tool, it is complementary to and not a replacement for clinical placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of disposable containers and packaging materials has increased due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the generation of plastic waste is also increasing, and research on recycling such waste is being actively conducted. In this study, an X-ray-shielding film for medical diagnosis was manufactured by mixing a radiation-shielding material and a plastic waste-based polymer material and its effectiveness was evaluated. The film, which is intended as a fabric for a shielding garment, consists of barium sulfate (BaSO4) shielding nanoparticles embedded in a matrix of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a commonly available waste plastic material. A particle-dispersing technology, which can improve the ratio between the shielding and matrix materials while maintaining the tensile strength of the film, was studied. Therefore, to increase the content of the barium sulfate (BaSO4) nanoparticles used as the shielding material, this multi-carrier method—under which the particles are dispersed in units of time—was developed to improve the shielding performance. Compared with the effectiveness of lead (Pb) shielding film, the 3 mm barium sulfate film developed in this study satisfies the lead equivalent of 0.150 mmPb when stacked in two layers. Therefore, a shielding film was successfully manufactured by using plastic waste as a polymer resin and barium sulfate, an eco-friendly radiation-shielding material, instead of lead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Protracted exposures to small doses of radiation, even cumulative effective doses (CED) as low as 50–100 mSv, may increase the risk for malignancy. Medical radiation exposure has not been rigorously examined for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We examined medical radiation exposure in patients with IBS at a tertiary care center in the USA. Methods: Patients diagnosed with IBS at our institute from 2009 to 2018 were included in a retrospective cohort study. Medical charts were examined to calculate total and annual CED. Results: 221 patients were included; mean CED was 40.32 mSv (SD: 54.36). Fifty-nine participants (26.7%) received >50 mSv of CED with 27 participants (12.2%) exceeding 100 mSv. Conventional imaging, nuclear medicine, and fluoroscopy accounted for 74.08, 12.93, and 12.98% of total CED, respectively. CT scans contributed to 66.61% of total CED. Outpatient orders accounted for 37.96% of total CED, while 31.4% of total CED was ordered in the emergency department. Population-specific high total CED was calculated as 105.65 mSv. Multivariable binomial logistic regression model found that comorbid anxiety, chronic pain medication use, and diarrhea-predominant IBS were independently positively associated with population-specific high CED exposure. No significant temporal trend in peri-diagnostic mean CED was found. Conclusion: Patients with IBS receive high amounts of medical radiation, with 1 in 4 patients reaching at-risk levels of 50 mSv or more. Usage of pain medication at home, comorbid anxiety, and IBS-D are independently linked to an increased risk of high CED.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess understanding of the potential risks associated with medical imaging among caregivers and adolescent patients in a paediatric emergency department (PED) in Singapore.Methods: A prospective convenience sample survey was performed involving adolescents and caregivers presenting to our PED from December 2015 to May 2016. The questionnaire examined demographic data, knowledge of imaging procedures and radiation risks, and expectations regarding information provided about medical radiation.Results: A total of 349 questionnaires were returned (caregivers 82.5%, adolescents 17.5%). A mean of 6.2 ± 2.4 (out of 11) questions were correctly answered. Those who had tertiary education fared better than those who did not (36.4% vs. 17.2% scoring above the mean, p = 0.001). Age, gender, history of previous imaging and imaging performed during the visit did not affect the score. Two-thirds of the participants did not associate medical radiation with any negative lifetime risk of cancers or know that different scans entailed differing amounts of radiation. Most were unaware that the radiation dose in medical imaging is adjusted to a child's size. Among patients who underwent imaging, 90.1% received explanations on the need for scans, and 26.5% were informed of the risks involved. Almost all participants wished to be informed of imaging indications and risks. More preferred to learn this from physicians (75.6%) or technicians (51.6%) rather than through educational pamphlets (34.4%) or Internet resources (22.9%).Conclusion: Awareness regarding medical radiation needs to be improved in our patient population. A mismatch exists between caregiver expectations and the actual procedure of disclosure of the risk associated with radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray shields used for medical purposes are manufactured using lead, which is inexpensive and easy to manufacture. However, as lead can be a major factor contributing toward environmental contamination, such as lead poisoning, a radiation-shielding plate was manufactured in this study using a tungsten plate, an eco-friendly material, through a rolling process at different temperatures. In addition, the shielding plate produced via the hot-rolling method exhibited better shielding performance than that of the plate produced using the cold-rolling method, and the multilayer structure was well formed, as indicated in the cross-sectional image analysis. Upon applying a peak voltage of 100 kVp to the X-ray tube, the shielding performance observed was 80% and 96% when the plate thickness was 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm, respectively. Therefore, it is expected that, in the future, the pure tungsten-based shield presented in this study will replace lead plates, owing to its superior standardization and reproducibility of the shielding performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiation exposure in medical institutions is mainly due to low doses. Low-dose radiation mainly means scattered radiation, and such scattered radiation can be shielded with a lightweight shielding suit. In this study, the shielding performance of shielding fabrics woven by winding polyethylene (PE) yarn around a 30 μm tungsten wire was evaluated. To improve the shielding performance, an air pressure dispersion process of coating tungsten nanopowder on the fiber was developed. The radiation shielding effectiveness of the shielding fibers with and without dispersed tungsten nanopowder were compared by measuring the spatial dose inside the diagnostic X-ray imaging room of a medical institution. The results of the experiment confirmed that the fabric coated with tungsten nanopowder improved the shielding performance of the general tungsten fiber by approximately 15% and provided relatively effective low-dose radiation shielding at approximately 1.2 m of the X-ray imaging equipment. This study shows that tungsten fiber can be helpful in manufacturing lightweight shielding clothing for protection from scattered radiation in medical institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional radiation shielding materials used in medical institutions, such as lead, are gradually being replaced by other environment-friendly materials. However, owing to limitations in processing technology, it is difficult to satisfy requirements such as light weight and low thickness and achieve the same shielding performance as that of lead. Therefore, in this study, the processing conditions used to manufacture the radiation shielding film were analyzed. Tungsten oxide was selected as the radiation shielding material, with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as the base material. Factors in the manufacturing process that affect shielding performance include the amount of shielding material, the use of plasticizer in the compounding process, the aging time before compression molding to disperse the shielding material in the base material, and the compression molding temperature. The shielding performance of shielding films was compared and evaluated. The shielding performance was found to be proportional to the amount of shielding material, and the use of plasticizer facilitated the improvement of shielding performance by chemically and stably removing air bubbles. Aging time of 12 h improved the shielding performance, and high compression molding temperature (70°C) improved the shielding performance. These findings confirm the importance of multiple process technology factors in improvement of shield performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of medical radiation shielding, there is an extensive body of research on process technologies for ecofriendly shielding materials that could replace lead. In particular, the particle size and arrangement of the shielding material when blended with a polymer material affect shielding performance. In this study, we observed how the particle size of the shielding material affects shielding performance. Performance and particle structure were observed for every shielding sheet, which were fabricated by mixing microparticles and nanoparticles with a polymer material using the same process. We observed that the smaller the particle size was, the higher both the clustering and shielding effects in the high-energy region. Thus, shielding performance can be improved. In the low-dose region, the effect of particle size on shielding performance was insignificant. Moreover, the shielding sheet in which nanoparticles and microsized particles were mixed showed similar performance to that of the shielding sheet containing only microsized particles. Findings indicate that, when fabricating a shielding sheet using a polymer material, the smaller the particles in the high-energy region are, the better the shielding performance is. However, in the low-energy region, the effect of the particles is insignificant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the scope of radiation use in medical and industrial fields has expanded, interest in radiation shielding is increasing. Most existing radiation shields use Pb-based products, primarily in the form of a laminated sheet, which requires attention as fine cracks may occur depending on the usage and storage conditions. The weight of the sheets limits users' activities, and they pose a risk of heavy metal contamination. To address these problems, this study proposed a shielding fiber with improved flexibility and workability, and thus, produce a shielding garment. Masterbatches of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber were manufactured using the eco-friendly materials, BaSO4 and Bi2O3. Yarns were fabricated by the melt spinning process, and fabrics were woven. With 5 wt% of shielding material, the yarns' shield against radiation and was sufficiently strong for fabric weaving. The fibers' radiation shielding averaged 9–13%, with the Bi2O3 fiber displaying better shielding performance than the BaSO4. It is believed that the findings of this study on improving the yarn manufacturing process could be applied for protection against low-dose and scattered rays in medical applications and for aerospace radiation protection. In addition, the proposed shielding fibers' flexibility makes them suitable for future use in the production of various radiation shields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: We explored the association between ionizing radiation (IR) from pre-natal and post-natal radio-diagnostic procedures and brain cancer risk within the MOBI-kids study. Methods: MOBI-kids is an international (Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Spain, The Netherlands) case-control study including 899 brain tumor (645 neuroepithelial) cases aged 10–24 years and 1,910 sex-, age-, country-matched controls. Medical radiological history was collected through personal interview. We estimated brain IR dose for each procedure, building a look-up table by age and time period. Lifetime cumulative doses were calculated using 2 and 5 years lags from the diagnostic date. Risk was estimated using conditional logistic regression. Neurological, psychological and genetic conditions were evaluated as potential confounders. The main analyses focused on neuroepithelial tumors. Results: Overall, doses were very low, with a skewed distribution (median 0.02 mGy, maximum 217 mGy). ORs for post-natal exposure were generally below 1. ORs were increased in the highest dose categories both for post and pre-natal exposures: 1.63 (95% CI 0.44–6.00) and 1.55 (0.57–4.23), respectively, based on very small numbers of cases. The change in risk estimates after adjustment for medical conditions was modest. Conclusions: There was little evidence for an association between IR from radio-diagnostic procedures and brain tumor risk in children and adolescents. Though doses were very low, our results suggest a higher risk for pre-natal and early life exposure, in line with current evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the 1980s, increased utilization of medical radiology, primarily computed tomography, has doubled medically sourced radiation exposures. Ensuing fear-mongering media headlines of iatrogenic cancers from these essential medical diagnostic tools has led the public and medical professionals alike to display escalating radiophobia. Problematically, several campaigns including Image Gently, Image Wisely, and facets of Choosing Wisely propagate fears of all medical radiation, which is necessary for the delivery of effective and efficient health care. Since there are no sound data supporting the alleged risks from low-dose radiation and since there is abundant evidence of health benefits from low-doses, these imaging campaigns seem misguided. Further, thresholds for cancer are 100 to 1000-fold greater than X-rays, which are within the realm of natural background radiation where no harm has ever been validated. Here, we focus on radiographic imaging for use in spinal rehabilitation by manual therapists, chiropractors, and physiotherapists as spinal X-rays represent the lowest levels of radiation imaging and are critical in the diagnosis and management of spine-related disorders. Using a case example of a chiropractic association adopting "Choosing Wisely," we argue that these campaigns only fuel the pervasive radiophobia and continue to constrain medical professionals, attempting to deliver quality care to patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray shields used for medical purposes are manufactured using lead, which is inexpensive and easy to manufacture. However, as lead can be a major factor contributing toward environmental contamination, such as lead poisoning, a radiation-shielding plate was manufactured in this study using a tungsten plate, an eco-friendly material, through a rolling process at different temperatures. In addition, the shielding plate produced via the hot-rolling method exhibited better shielding performance than that of the plate produced using the cold-rolling method, and the multilayer structure was well formed, as indicated in the cross-sectional image analysis. Upon applying a peak voltage of 100 kVp to the X-ray tube, the shielding performance observed was 80% and 96% when the plate thickness was 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm, respectively. Therefore, it is expected that, in the future, the pure tungsten-based shield presented in this study will replace lead plates, owing to its superior standardization and reproducibility of the shielding performance.

Radiation exposure in medical institutions is mainly due to low doses. Low-dose radiation mainly means scattered radiation, and such scattered radiation can be shielded with a lightweight shielding suit. In this study, the shielding performance of shielding fabrics woven by winding polyethylene (PE) yarn around a 30 μm tungsten wire was evaluated. To improve the shielding performance, an air pressure dispersion process of coating tungsten nanopowder on the fiber was developed. The radiation shielding effectiveness of the shielding fibers with and without dispersed tungsten nanopowder were compared by measuring the spatial dose inside the diagnostic X-ray imaging room of a medical institution. The results of the experiment confirmed that the fabric coated with tungsten nanopowder improved the shielding performance of the general tungsten fiber by approximately 15% and provided relatively effective low-dose radiation shielding at approximately 1.2 m of the X-ray imaging equipment. This study shows that tungsten fiber can be helpful in manufacturing lightweight shielding clothing for protection from scattered radiation in medical institutions.

To understand the distribution of the average glandular dose (AGD) in mammography by investigating 1,828 exposure parameters of 8 mammography machines in three cities, by using random sampling. A survey of 8 mammography machines in three different cities, sampled using stratified random sampling methods, was performed, and 1,828 mammography exposure parameters were recorded. Incident air kerma (k) was measured by Quality-Assurance (QA) dosimeters, and AGD was calculated by series conversion coefficients based on a 3D detailed Monte Carlo breast model, published by Wang et al. The distribution of compressed breast thickness (CBT) fitted a normal distribution, while that of AGD fitted a skewed distribution. The mean value of CBT in a medio-lateral oblique (MLO) view was about 5.6% higher than that in the craniocaudal (CC) view, with significant statistical difference; mean value of AGD and CBT in the sample was 1.3 mGy and 4.6 cm, respectively. The AGD trended upward with increasing CBT, similar to the results of other researches. The mean AGD and CBT levels in our study for mammography practice in China were 1.3 mGy and 4.6 cm, respectively. AGD is influenced by manufacturer-specific variation as machine response to CBT changes and target/filter combination. The present study can provide evidence for establishing a diagnostic reference level in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of medical radiation shielding, there is an extensive body of research on process technologies for ecofriendly shielding materials that could replace lead. In particular, the particle size and arrangement of the shielding material when blended with a polymer material affect shielding performance. In this study, we observed how the particle size of the shielding material affects shielding performance. Performance and particle structure were observed for every shielding sheet, which were fabricated by mixing microparticles and nanoparticles with a polymer material using the same process. We observed that the smaller the particle size was, the higher both the clustering and shielding effects in the high-energy region. Thus, shielding performance can be improved. In the low-dose region, the effect of particle size on shielding performance was insignificant. Moreover, the shielding sheet in which nanoparticles and microsized particles were mixed showed similar performance to that of the shielding sheet containing only microsized particles. Findings indicate that, when fabricating a shielding sheet using a polymer material, the smaller the particles in the high-energy region are, the better the shielding performance is. However, in the low-energy region, the effect of the particles is insignificant.

As the scope of radiation use in medical and industrial fields has expanded, interest in radiation shielding is increasing. Most existing radiation shields use Pb-based products, primarily in the form of a laminated sheet, which requires attention as fine cracks may occur depending on the usage and storage conditions. The weight of the sheets limits users’ activities, and they pose a risk of heavy metal contamination. To address these problems, this study proposed a shielding fiber with improved flexibility and workability, and thus, produce a shielding garment. Masterbatches of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber were manufactured using the eco-friendly materials, BaSO4 and Bi2O3. Yarns were fabricated by the melt spinning process, and fabrics were woven. With 5 wt% of shielding material, the yarns’ shield against radiation and was sufficiently strong for fabric weaving. The fibers’ radiation shielding averaged 9–13%, with the Bi2O3 fiber displaying better shielding performance than the BaSO4. It is believed that the findings of this study on improving the yarn manufacturing process could be applied for protection against low-dose and scattered rays in medical applications and for aerospace radiation protection. In addition, the proposed shielding fibers’ flexibility makes them suitable for future use in the production of various radiation shields.

Copyright of West Indian Medical Journal is the property of West Indian Medical Journal (WIMJ) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)