Ch 10-14 Flashcards
(321 cards)
Set of numeric dose limits that are based on calculations of the various risks of cancer and genetic (hereditary) effects to tissues or organs exposed to radiation
Effective dose (EfD) limiting system
An EfD limiting system has been incorporated into what title of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 20, a document prepared and distributed by the U.S. Office of the Federal Register; the rules and regulations of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and fundamental radiation protection standards governing occupational radiation exposure are included in this document?
Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations
2 resources for the revised recommendations of the concept of radiation exposure and of the associated risk of radiation-induced malignancy
National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) Report No. 116 International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Report No. 60
4 major organizations responsible for evaluating the relationship between radiation EqD and induced biologic effects and are also concerned with formulating risk estimates of somatic and genetic effects of irradiation
International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council Committee on the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (NAS/NRC-BEIR)
Evaluates information on biologic effects of radiation and provides radiation protection guidance through general recommendations on occupational and public dose limits Considered the international authority on the safe use of sources of ionizing radiation Composed of a main commission with 12 active members, a chairman, and 4 standing committees, which include committees on radiation effects, radiation exposure, protection in medicine, and the application of its recommendations Since its inception in 1928, it has been the leading international organization responsible for providing clear and consistent radiation protection guidance through its recommendation for occupational dose limits and public dose limits Only makes recommendations, does not function as an enforcement agency; each nation must develop and enforce its own specific regulations
International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP)
Reviews regulations formulated by the ICRP and decides ways to include those recommendations in US radiation protection criteria; nongovernmental, non-profit The council implements this task by formulating general recommendations and publishing their recommendations in the form of various reports Not an enforcement agency, enactment of its recommendations lies with federal and state agencies that have the power to enforce such standards after they have been established
National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP)
4 objectives of the NCRP
Collect, analyze, develop and disseminate in the public interest information and recommendations about (a) protection against radiation (referred to herein as radiation protection) and (b) radiation measurements, quantities and units, particularly those concerned with radiation protection Provide a means by which organizations concerned with the scientific and related aspects of radiation protection and of radiation quantities, units and measurements may cooperate for effective utilization of their combined resources, and to stimulate the work of such organizations Develop basic concepts about radiation quantities, units and measurements, about the application of these concepts, and about radiation protection Cooperate with the International Commission on Radiological Protection, the Federal Radiation Council, the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements, and other national and international organizations, governmental and private, concerned with radiation quantities, units and measurements and with radiation protection
Evaluates human and environmental ionizing radiation exposure and derives radiation risk assessments from epidemiologic data and research conclusions; provides information to organizations such as the ICRP for evaluation Another group that plays a prominent role in the formulation of radiation protection guidelines This group evaluates human and environmental ionizing radiation exposures from a variety of sources including radioactive materials, radiation-producing machines, and radiation accidents Uses epidemiologic data information acquired from the Radiation Effects Research Foundation and research conclusions to derive radiation risk assessments for radiation-induced cancer and for genetic (hereditary) effects
United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR)
Reviews studies of biologic effects of ionizing radiation and risk assessment and provides the information to organizations such as the ICRP for evaluation Another advisory group that reviews studies of biologic effects of ionizing radiation and risk assessment
National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council Committee on the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (NAS/NRC-BEIR)
After radiation protection standards have been determined, responsible agencies must enforce them for the protection of the general public, patients, and occupationally exposed personnel
Regulatory agencies
5 U.S. regulatory agencies
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Agreement states Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Oversees the nuclear energy industry and enforces radiation protection standards, publishes its rules and regulations in Title 10 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, and enters into written agreements with state governments that permit the state to license and regulate the use of radioisotopes and certain other material within the state Federal agency that has the authority to control the possession, use, and production of atomic energy in the interest of national security; also has the power to enforce radiation protection standards Does not regulate or inspect x-ray imaging facilities; its main function is to oversee the nuclear energy industry Supervises the design and working mechanics of nuclear power stations, production of nuclear fuel, handling of expending fuel, and supervision of hazardous radioactive waste material Controls the manufacture and use of radioactive substances formed in nuclear reactors and used in research, nuclear medicine imaging procedures, therapeutic treatment, and industry Licenses users of radioactive materials and periodically makes unannounced inspections to determine whether these users are in compliance with the provisions of their licenses Writes standards that are presented as rules and regulations Has the authority to enter into written contracts with state governments; these agreements permit the contracting state to undertake the responsibility of licensing and regulating the use of radioisotopes and certain other radioactive materials within the state
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
Enforce radiation protection regulations through their respective health departments
Agreement states
Facilitates the development and enforcement of regulations pertaining to the control of radiation in the environment
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Conducts an ongoing production radiation control program, regulating the design and manufacture of electronic products, including x-ray equipment To determine the level of compliance with standards in a given x-ray facility, it conducts on-site inspections of x-ray equipment Compliance with standards ensures the protection of occupationally and nonoccupationally exposed persons from faulty manufacturing
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Functions as monitoring agency in places of employment, predominantly in industry Regulates occupation exposure to radiation
Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Implementation of an effective radiation safety program begins with the administration of the facility; individuals in executive positions must provide the resources necessary for creating and maintaining such a program and can do what 3 things?
Delegate operation funds in the budget Oversee the development of policies and procedures Provide the equipment necessary for starting and continuing the program
3 functions of a radiation safety committee (RSC) mandated to be established by the facility by the NRC
Provides guidance for the program Facilitates ongoing operation of the program Selects a qualified person to serve as a radiation safety officer (RSO)
2 functions of an RSO
Oversee the program’s daily operation Provide for formal review of the program each year
4 things an RSO normally is
Medical physicist Health physicist Radiologist Other individual qualified through adequate training and experience
5 responsibilities of the RSO
Specifically responsible for developing an appropriate radiation safety program for the facility that follows internationally accepted guidelines for radiation protection Must ensure that the facility’s operational radiation practices are such that all people, especially those who are or could be pregnant, are adequately protected from unnecessary exposure To fulfill their responsibility, management of the facility must grant the RSO the authority necessary to implement and enforce the policies of the radiation safety program Review and maintain radiation-monitoring records for all personnel Be available to provide counseling for individuals
3 allowable pathways for a radiation safety officer to meet training and experience requirements
Certification by one of the professional boards approved by the NRC Didactic and work experience as described in detail in the regulations Identification as an authorized user, authorized medical physicist, or authorized nuclear physicist on the licence, with experience in the types of uses for which the individual has RSO responsibilities
Duties that requires the licensee to freely provide the RSO to perform
Identify radiation safety problems Initiate, recommend, or provide corrective action Stop unsafe operations involving by-product material Verify implementation of corrective actions
3 duties required that the licensee provide the RSO
Sufficient authority Organization freedom Management prerogative to perform certain duties