The use of constraints by ICRP

Dunster, H.J.

doi:10.1088/0952-4746/12/4/002

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…In addition ICRP proposed constraints which may be set nationally or locally but did not set values for them. Dunster [6] has clarified some points about constraints, and in particular notes the IAEA suggestion that for public exposure the constraint should be set at 3%-30% of the relevant dose limit. ICRP60 also expanded the concept of medical exposure [7] to encompass those "knowingly and willingly helping in the support and comfort of patients undergoing diagnosis or treatment".…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiation doses to those accompanying nuclear medicine department patients: a waiting room survey

et al. 1994

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In a multi-centre European trial we have assessed the radiation dose to those accompanying patients undergoing nuclear medicine investigations. Dosemeters were first calibrated against each other and then used to measure the radiation dose to the nurse or relative while they were in the waiting room. In departments where there was one waiting room the median radiation dose was 13 gSv, and the corresponding figures for where there were two waiting rooms and where the patients were allowed to leave the department with their nurse or relative were 12 and 11 gSv, respectively. These figures are not significantly different. However, we found that the median radiation dose to relatives was 13 gSv while that to nurses was 3 gSv (P<0.01), although the waiting times were not significantly different. The reasons for these differences are discussed. Our data do not support the need for a second waiting room for injected patients in a nuclear medicine department.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radiation doses to those accompanying nuclear medicine department patients: a waiting room survey

et al. 1994

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“…It was certainly not intended to offer a simple way of reducing the dose l i m i t s . A more detailed account of inequity and of the Commission's use of constraints has been given in an earlier reference (Dunster 1992).…”

Section: The Optimisation Of Proteaion For Normal Exposuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimisation and constraints-a view from ICRP

Dunster¹

1994

J. Radiol. Prot.

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The optimisation of protection has been the major policy underlying the recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection for more than 20 years. In earlier forms, the concept can be traced back to 1951. Constraints are more recent, appearing in their present form only in the 1990 recommendations of the Commission. The requirement to keep all exposures as low as reasonably achievable applies to both normal and potential exposures. The policy and the techniques are well established for normal exposures, i.e. exposures that are certain to occur. The application to potential exposures, still under international discussion. Constraints are needed to limit the inequity associated with the use of collective dose in cost-benefit analysis and to provide a margin to protect individuals who may be exposed to more than one source.

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“…A paper by Dunster [12] has explained that constraints are used because the detriments and benefits of radiation may apply to different people or may be differently distributed in the population. These are a relatively new concept and were not fully explained in the ICRP recommendations, where they were described as an investigation level in relation to a single source.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…Dunster [12] also proposes that occupational constraints should be set at investigation levels for planning purposes. In the case of medical exposure they should be retrospective investigation levels, and be related to the average dose received by patients.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…It is perfectly permissible to exceed the constraint for a given patient, for example one who is in severe pain or is very obese, but on average the dose constraint should not be exceeded. ICRP has been far from clear in its description of constraints, and while Dunster's paper [12] helps, there are clearly several issues to be resolved. Remembering that the dose limit for the general public is proposed to be 1 mSv a year, several problems could be created for nuclear medicine.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Where do we stand with ICRP60?

Harding

Thomson

1993

Eur J Nucl Med

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We have examined the implications of ICRP60 for nuclear medicine. Radiation doses to staff are currently low and reduction of the dose limits will have little impact. However, the proposed figures for the fetus may have implications for pregnant women where the workloads are high. With nursing staff on the ward, laboratory staff or indeed departmental porters there seems little problem. Radiation dose to the fingers is, however, a key factor, and ensuring that no further restrictions are placed on the proposed dose limits is important. The concept of constraints is becoming clearer but will need further thought, particularly with regard to exposure of the general public. The previous basis for declaring controlled and supervised areas has been abandoned, and the situation is now less clear. A most important area of debate will be the patient who is a controlled area, and great care will have to be taken to ensure that the number of patients in this category is not increased so that many more patients need to be kept in hospital. Exposure of the general public is also an issue and expanding the concept of medical exposure to include carers is an important development. This should prevent a number of unnecessary restrictions and adds weight to the point that two waiting rooms are not justified in nuclear medicine departments. ICRP recommendations will soon be incorporated into the legislation of member states and it is import for everyone to ensure that drafts are read carefully and that national proposals are not too restrictive.

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The use of constraints by ICRP

Cited by 4 publications

References 1 publication

Radiation doses to those accompanying nuclear medicine department patients: a waiting room survey

Radiation doses to those accompanying nuclear medicine department patients: a waiting room survey

Optimisation and constraints-a view from ICRP

Where do we stand with ICRP60?

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