This preliminary study evaluates beta and gamma radiation levels and related health risks in two Algerian thermal spas, H1 and H2. We focused on doses received by workers and visitors, especially near thermal pools and confined treatment rooms. Dose rates were measured using a LUDLUM 2403 radiometer with a Geiger–Müller detector under different conditions: ventilated vs unventilated rooms and empty vs water-filled pools. Absorbed dose rates ranged from 1.2×10⁻4 to 3.18×10⁻4 mSv/h for H1 and from 1.7×10⁻4 to 3.55×10⁻4 mSv/h for H2, higher in humid, unventilated areas. Annual effective doses for workers varied between 0.15–0.27 mSv/y in H1 and 0.19–0.40 mSv/y in H2, while visitor doses remained very low (≤ 0.01 mSv/y). Excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), the annual inhalation equivalent dose to the lung (EInh), and estimated lung cancer per million people per year (LCC) cases were all well below internationally recommended reference levels showing negligible long-term risk. Benchmarking against international studies shows that our measured values are consistent with reported data. These results highlight the importance of ventilation to limit radon accumulation and provide a baseline for further studies in Algerian thermal facilities.
Background : Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is widely used in image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) to improve the accuracy of treatment, particularly in the thoracic and pelvic regions. However, repeated CBCT acquisitions raise concerns regarding cumulative radiation exposure, particularly to radiosensitive organs. Purpose : This study aims to provide a comprehensive dosimetric analysis of CBCT imaging protocols, focusing on size-specific dose estimates (SSDE) as a patient-centred metric that incorporates anatomical dimensions, such as anterior–posterior (AP) and lateral (LAT) diameters, to more accurately reflect absorbed doses. Methods : CBCT data were collected retrospectively from clinical procedures using standard thoracic and pelvic protocols. Manual calculations of SSDE were performed and compared across patients with different anatomical sizes. Dose variability was analysed in relation to patient dimensions. Results : Significant inter-patient variability was observed in SSDE values, ranging from 45.2 mGy to 271.46 mGy for thoracic imaging and from 229.31 mGy to 909.11 mGy for pelvic imaging. These corresponded to approximately 0.09–0.44% and 0.76–1.16% of the total prescribed therapeutic dose, respectively. Notably, smaller patients received disproportionately higher SSDE values, primarily due to reduced tissue volume and increased radiation concentration. Conclusion : The findings highlight the limitations of using fixed-dose metrics such as CTDIvol and emphasise the importance of incorporating SSDE into routine clinical practice. Personalised imaging protocols based on patient size are recommended to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure, particularly for paediatric and small-sized patients, while maintaining adequate image quality.
This cross-sectional observational study aimed to identify factors influencing radiation personal protective equipment (RAD-PPE) adherence among nurses in interventional radiology (IR) departments in Saudi Arabia, using the Health Belief Model (HBM). A total of 230 IR nurses were recruited via convenience sampling from multiple hospitals between August 2024 to February 2025. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, adherence status, and HBM constructs. The Mann-Whitney U test and multivariate logistic regression were used for analysis. Results showed that 59% of nurses were fully committed to RAD-PPE use. Fully committed nurses reported higher perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, cues to action, and self-efficacy, and fewer perceived barriers. In the multivariate model, perceived benefits (AOR = 1.50, p = 0.005), cues to action (AOR = 1.80, p = 0.020), self-efficacy (AOR = 2.00, p = 0.012), and perceived barriers (AOR = 0.40, p = 0.018) were independent predictors of adherence, alongside education level and hospital type. Risk awareness alone did not predict adherence when practical and motivational factors were accounted for. Confidence in correct use, perceived benefits, and institutional prompts were the strongest drivers of full adherence.
The Postgraduate Educational Course in Radiation Protection and the Safety of Radiation Sources (PGEC), is offered since 2011, in Brazil, by the Institute of Radiation Protection and Dosimetry (IRD), in partner-ship with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). With workload of 472 hours/class, was de-signed to meet the needs of professionals with higher education to work in the field in Portuguese-speaking countries. Despite the high qualification of the course and the graduate having the title of Spe-cialist (recognized as a Radiation Protection Expert – RPE or Qualified Expert – QE) in Brazil, this title is still not recognized as a professional qualification by the National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN). In this sense, this paper aims to demonstrate the registration process for a Radiation Protection Officer (RPO – in Brazil called Radiation Protection Supervisor – SPR) to work in a Low-Risk Radioactive Facility (in this case, in a Research and Development Laboratory of a Public State University), based on a case study of a graduate student from PGEC Brazil. The relevance of this work lies in the fact that this practice and resolution for the RPO to operate in Low-Risk Radioactive Facilities can be useful and replicated in other countries that offer the PGEC worldwide.
La radiographie conventionnelle demeure, dans de nombreuses indications, la modalité d’imagerie de première intention. En Afrique, malgré les progrès techniques, le taux de répétition des examens reste sous-estimé. L’objectif général de cette étude était de déterminer le taux de reprise des examens au Centre Hospitalier Régional d’Ebolowa (CHRE), d’établir la liste des examens les plus fréquemment repris et d’en analyser les facteurs déterminants. Nous avons mené une étude transversale descriptive au sein du service d’imagerie médicale du CHRE en 2025. Sur 363 examens réalisés sur un système de numérisation indirecte, 117 ont fait l’objet d’une reprise. Les taux de reprise ont été calculés et les facteurs associés analysés. Les traitements statistiques ont été effectués à l’aide du logiciel SPSS et du test du chi². Trente-deux pour cent des examens ont été repris, soit un niveau largement supérieur aux recommandations internationales. Le taux de reprise spécifique (TRS) était plus élevé chez les enfants, en raison de l’absence de moyens de contention. La complexité technique de certaines incidences (épaule, obliques du rachis cervical, défilé fémoro-patellaire) s’accompagnait également d’un TRS élevé. Les facteurs responsables des reprises étaient majoritairement d’ordre technique (mauvais positionnement), devant les facteurs liés au patient, et encore plus rarement ceux liés à l’appareillage. La formation continue du personnel apparaît capitale. La mise à disposition de dispositifs de contention et la réalisation d’audits réguliers sont nécessaires pour atteindre les niveaux recommandés.
Emergency department nurses are at the forefront of response to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) incidents, yet factors shaping their preparedness intentions remain poorly understood. This cross-sectional study applied the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to assess behavioral intentions (BIs) for CBRN preparedness among 195 emergency department nurses in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected via a validated 21-item questionnaire measuring attitude toward the behavior (ATB), subjective norms (SNs), and perceived behavioral control (PBC). Spearman correlations and linear regression were used for analysis. Most participants (70.77%) were female and 81.54% lacked prior CBRN training, yet 68.46% demonstrated high BIs. All TPB constructs were positively correlated with BIs; however, only SNs significantly predicted BIs (β = 0.81, p < 0.001). Key influential factors included hospital management priorities, nursing organization endorsements, family support, self-confidence in emergency response and PPE use, and perceived local CBRN incident likelihood. Among demographics, only age significantly predicted BIs (p = 0.031), with younger nurses showing stronger intentions. These findings highlight that social and organizational influences predominantly drive CBRN preparedness intentions, emphasizing the need for targeted training and institutional support strategies.
This article provides a summary of the work of the International Commission on Radiological Protection Task Group 98 (ICRP, 2026) dedicated to the management of radiation exposures associated with areas contaminated by past activities. It addresses the protection of workers, the public and the environment in contaminated areas, where radioactivity is present because of past human activities. Exposures in the post-accidental phase after a nuclear emergency were not considered since they are addressed in Publication 146 (ICRP, 2020). The Task Group considered a set of case studies to ensure consistency between the Commission’s approach and operational experience. The Task Group recommends a graded approach to be applied: the level of effort to address the situation should be commensurate with the level of risk, taking account of prevailing circumstances. Experience highlights, among other aspects, that radiological contaminants are often associated with non-radiological hazards. The Task Group thus recommends an integrated and all-hazards approach to protection. Early, broad, and ongoing stakeholders’ involvement is central to designing and implementing a sustainable remediation strategy.
Interventional cardiology procedures, particularly coronary angiography (CA) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), are among the most radiation-intensive medical imaging techniques. Accurate estimation of patient radiation dose is essential for risk assessment, dose optimization, and the development of diagnostic reference levels. This scoping review critically analyzes the current literature on dose conversion factors based on kerma-area product (KAP) for estimating effective (E) and organ-specific (HT) doses in adult patients undergoing CA and PCI. A total of 14 studies meeting defined eligibility criteria were included, encompassing methodologies such as Monte Carlo simulations (e.g., PCXMC, Geant4), physical phantoms, and clinical measurements. Reported E/KAP factors varied from 0.14 to 0.33 mSv/Gy·cm², with PCI generally yielding higher values. HT/KAP values were notably highest for lungs and varied based on sex, anatomy, and procedural parameters. Technical factors such as X-ray filtration also significantly influenced dose estimation. The findings highlight substantial methodological heterogeneity and emphasize the need to standardize conversion factor recommendations across settings. Future efforts should focus on integrating personalized dosimetry, artificial intelligence tools, and real-time dose monitoring to enhance radiological safety and ensure consistent practice in interventional cardiology.
This study aimed to establish the DRLs according to clinical indications (DRL CI) for adult patients in the three CT units of the Mohammed VI University Hospital Centre in Marrakesh (Med VI UHCM). Dose values and CT acquisition parameters were collected from 2.400 adult patients over the age of 16 who underwent CT scans in at the Med VI UHCM. This approach enabled us to assess 22 distinct clinical indications, spread across the four anatomical regions of the head, chest, abdomen-pelvis (AP), and chest-abdomen-pelvis (CAP). The DRL CI for each indication were established as the third quartile values of the CT dose index volume (CTDIvol) and dose-length product (DLP) distributions. To ensure a comparative assessment of dose distributions, a non-parametric test was applied to analyze the data according to the different indications for each anatomical region. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.01. The analysis revealed significant variability in CTDIvol and DLP across different indications (p < 0.01) for the anatomical regions of the head, chest, and AP. For CAP CT scans, the difference was significant for DLP (p < 0.01) and not significant for CTDIvol (p > 0.01). The DRL CI observed for most indications was generally higher than that reported in France, Europe, America, and Africa. Optimization of radiation exposure in CT in adults should focus on DRLs based on clinical indications rather than anatomical DRLs.
En 2018, dans le champ de la radioprotection, la réglementation française instaure le Conseiller en radioprotection (CRP) avec des missions clairement définies. Le CRP est désigné par l’employeur (au titre du code du travail) et par le responsable de l’activité nucléaire (au titre du code de la santé publique) qui lui mettent à disposition les moyens nécessaires à l'exercice de ses missions et le temps suffisant pour les accomplir. Il est l’acteur principal de la radioprotection dans les établissements mettant en œuvre des rayonnements ionisants, et bien souvent son rôle de radioprotection dépasse le cadre de ses missions propres. En effet, il est souvent plus simple pour l’employeur de solliciter le CRP même pour des missions de radioprotection annexes qui ne sont pas de son ressort spécifique. Ceci peut engendrer une surcharge de travail et un manque de temps global pour tout traiter. Ce constat, récurrent depuis plusieurs années, a poussé, en 2023, la Coordination nationale des réseaux et acteurs de la radioprotection (CoRPAR) a créé un outil d’aide à l’estimation du temps nécessaire pour accomplir les missions du CRP, ainsi que les missions annexes de radioprotection. Cet article a pour objectif de présenter l’outil d’aide à l’estimation du temps CRP / radioprotection en imagerie médicale développé par la CoRPAR et de montrer son intérêt en pratique.
L’éclairage artificiel en général, et la lumière bleue des LEDs en particulier, ont suscité des débats scientifiques au cours de ces dernières années. Pris dans leur ensemble, les résultats scientifiques sont rassurants quant au risque rétinien lié à l’éclairage à LEDs, qui demeure nul ou faible pour la population générale dans le cadre d’une utilisation normale. Néanmoins, certaines questions restent ouvertes, notamment concernant la pertinence des normes de sécurité photobiologique pour l’œil du très jeune enfant, ou encore les effets biopsychologiques liés à l’exposition à la lumière artificielle ou aux écrans le soir ou la nuit. Ces questions pourront trouver des réponses grâce à une approche In Situ multidisciplinaire.
FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH-RT) delivers ultra-high dose rates that are orders of magnitude above those of conventional radiotherapy. While pre-clinical and early clinical studies suggest therapeutic advantages, its extremely high instantaneous intensities challenge the applicability of existing radiation protection standards. This paper reviews international and national regulatory frameworks with emphasis on dose-rate criteria and shielding requirements, including those of the ICRP, IAEA, the United States, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and China. Particular attention is given to the interpretation of “maximum ambient dose rate” in Chinese standards, which may result in overly conservative shielding designs for FLASH-RT facilities. Comparative analysis indicates that time-averaged or workload-based approaches, as adopted in several countries, remain adequate to ensure compliance with occupational and public dose limits. Optimisation pathways are proposed to harmonise national practice with international recommendations and to facilitate the safe clinical implementation of FLASH-RT.
C-arm fluoroscopy-guided blocks are widely performed in pain management but expose physicians to ionizing radiation. Although a physician’s position relative to the C-arm may influence exposure levels, the clinical impact of standing specifically on the control panel side remains under-investigated in a randomized setting. In this prospective randomized controlled trial, procedures were assigned to either Group P (physician on the control panel side) or Group C (physician on the opposite side). Equivalent effective dose (EED) was measured at the physician’s chest and the C-arm table using digital dosimeters. A linear mixed-effects model was employed to account for physician-level clustering. A total of 331 procedures were analyzed. The EED at the physician’s chest was significantly lower in Group P (5.0 [3.0–8.0] μSv) than in Group C (25.0 [17.0–45.0] μSv), P < 0.001. Table-level EED was also significantly lower in Group P (18.0 vs. 35.0 μSv, P = 0.002). The chest-to-table EED ratio was reduced in Group P (0.4 vs. 0.7, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in radiation absorbed dose or fluoroscopy time between the two groups. Standing on the control panel side significantly reduces occupational radiation exposure, particularly at the chest level, compared to standing on the opposite side. This positional adjustment does not compromise procedural efficiency, making it a highly practical strategy for enhancing radiation safety during C-arm fluoroscopy-guided blocks.
Radiation-based incidents, while low frequency, present potentially high consequences for first responders, communities, and the environment. Emergency responses to such events are guided by well-established operational protocols; however, these frameworks tend to focus primarily on radiological hazards and do not systematically account for non-radiological risks, including the possibility of malicious or criminal intent. Current approaches to radiation incident triage are largely non-discriminatory, frequently resulting in the deployment of large numbers of responders and, consequently, potentially avoidable occupational radiation exposure. This discussion paper examines the legislative and governance framework underpinning radiation incident response in South Australia, with particular attention to the role of the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), its Radiation Emergency Response Team (R-ERT), and associated multi-agency arrangements. Drawing on insights from a multi-agency training exercise (“Exercise Hotspring”), the paper identifies operational gaps in early incident assessment and decision-making. It argues for the integration of a structured, multi-hazard risk screening approach to complement existing radiation response protocols. Such an approach may support proportionate, evidence-informed responses, while enhancing protection for first responders, communities, and the environment.
Radiation surveys were conducted in fifty (50) X-ray imaging units in Cameroon. The aim of the study was to evaluate the X-rays shielding for the radiation protection of medical radiation workers (MRWs) and members of the public within controlled and uncontrolled areas respectively. The measurement of the instantaneous dose rate (IDR) was performed using a well calibrated digital survey meter model RADIAGEM 2000, in four dedicated zones namely control console(Z_1), adjacent rooms (Z_2), outdoor areas (Z_3), and waiting room (Z_4). The corresponding shielding design goals (P values) were estimated and their compliance rates with the National Council of Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) recommended standard were evaluated. The results indicated that, the P values of the surveyed zones expressed in mSv/week ranged as follows: Z_1 (0.009-0.568),〖 Z〗_2 (0.044-0.284), Z_3 (0.004-1.204), and Z_4 (0.004-0.045). The average P values of Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4 were 0.081, 0.09, 0.1202, and 0.015 mSv/week respectively. Unsuitable protections were observed in Z1, Z2, Z3, and Z4 in the magnitude of 20%, 16%, 60%, and 30% respectively. Using the Monte Carlo simulations (MCS), performance of the additional shielding to the existing 10mm of stainless steel (S10) and 150mm of concrete (C150) used in nationwide medical services was investigated. Additional layer of shielding were 5mm of HDPE (HDPE5), 5mm of PVC (PVC5), 5mm of Al (Al5), and 5mm of stainless steel (S5). Special emphasis was placed on the transmission and scattering radiations through the studied shields. Simulations reveal that, the variation of effective dose behind the barrier based on concrete in the direction of the primary photon beam increases as follow: S5-C150 < Al5-C150
The study aimed to compare the radiation dose between digital mammography (DM) and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and to correlate it with compressed breast thickness (CBT) and breast density. Patient age, CBT, and breast density, kVp, mAs, average glandular dose (AGD), and entrance skin dose (ESD), for 701 cases were retrieved. The radiation dose difference between DM in craniocaudal (CC) and DBT in mediolateral oblique (MLO) views was determined across different CBT and density categories. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the AGD and ESD predictors. The overall AGD of MLO DBT (2.46 mGy) was higher than that of CC DM (2.30 mGy), P<0.001. Similarly, the ESD of MLO DBT (7.67 mGy) was higher than that of CC DM (6.32 mGy), P<0.001. CBT was the primary determinant of AGD in both DM and DBT, with standardized coefficients beta of 0.4 and 0.6, respectively. CBT also was the primary determinant of ESD in both DM and DBT with standardized coefficients beta of 0.2 and 0.9, respectively. The current study found that the AGD of the MLO view of DBT was higher than that of the CC view of DM. However, the overall AGD was still within the ACR-recommended AGD for single view.
This multicenter study, conducted from February to July 2024 across five CT centers in Northern Benin, assessed radiation doses from 2,247 examinations (201 children, 2,046 adults) performed on modern scanners (2018-2023) equipped with automatic exposure control and iterative reconstruction. In pediatrics, only head CTs met analysis criteria: the median DLP reached 1,204 mGy & centerdot;cm (10-15 years) and CTDIvol 43 mGy (1-5 years), with 75th percentile values up to three times higher than French diagnostic reference levels (DRLs). In adults, the most frequent procedures (head, thoraco-abdominopelvic, lumbar spine, thoracic CTA) reported a maximum DLP of 2,927 mGy & centerdot;cm (TAP) and a CTDIvol of 85 mGy (non-traumatic head). Effective doses ranged from 0.77-2.03 mSv in children and 2.33-8.88 mSv in adults. These findings highlight marked inter-center variability, lack of standardized protocols, and alarming pediatric overexposures. They underscore the urgent need to establish contextualized national DRLs, implement dedicated pediatric protocols, and conduct regular dose audits to optimize patient safety and harmonize CT practices in low-resource settings.
