5 Radiation Safety

Question 1

what is the name of biological effect of radiation that we know will occur?

Answer 1

deterministic/ non stochastic

Question 2

what are deterministic effects of radiation?

Answer 2

somatic effects to the person exposed to radiation which will occur when radiation exposure exceeds a certain threshold dose
- below threshold the effect does not occur
- severity relates to dose

Question 3

what are the acute deterministic effects?

Answer 3

Radiation sickness = 2-10 Sv whole body irradiation
Death = >10 Sv whole body irradiation

Question 4

What are the chronic deterministic effects?

Answer 4

• Hair loss
• Cataracts
• Sterility
• Obliterative endarteritis

Question 5

Explain the basics of Non-deterministic effects (stochastic) of radiation?

Answer 5

Stochastic effects are those that may develop
Their development is random and depends on the laws of chance/ probability
- thereby assumed there is no threshold dose.
- the severity of the damage is not related to the dose
- less chance of damage with low dose
- somatic and genetic effects

Question 6

what are the somatic non deterministic effects of radiation?

Answer 6

development of malignancy

Question 7

what are the genetic non deterministic effects of radiation?

Answer 7

congenital abnormality which may include malignancy

Question 8

what type of effects are we likely to have in dentistry? deterministic or non-deterministic?

Answer 8

non-deterministic (this is a problem)

Question 9

what are the factors which affect dose of radiation?

Answer 9

• type of radiation ( we are only interested in x-rays)
• tissues being irradiated
• age of patient

Question 10

what is the max dose per annum for the general public

Answer 10

1 msV

Question 11

What is the max dose per annum for a classified worker?

Answer 11

20 mSv

Question 11

what is the dose limit for patients?

Answer 11

ALARP
- as low as reasonably possible
(no set dose limit)