Radiation Safety Flashcards
Who was the first person to discover that radiation exposure had had adverse affects on the skin?
Dr Edmund Kells
What are the 2 types of biological effects of radiation?
- Deterministic (non-stochastic) - those we know will occur
2. Non-deterministic (stochastic) - those which may occur
When looking at DETERMINISTIC effects;
What happens with the biological effects below and above the threshold dose?
In deterministic effects;
Below threshold - the biological effects do NOT occur.
Above threshold - the biological effects DO occur.
Who can be damaged by deterministic effects?
In relation to the person affected, what are these effects known as?
All the damage effects the person exposed to the radiation.
It effects their body and therefore they are known as somatic effects.
Can somatic effects be positive and if so why?
Yes they can be positive.
This means you can determine the threshold dose and expose a patient to a specific dose of radiation for treatment (eg. kill of cancer cells that give rise to tumours)
Can deterministic effects be adverse?
Yes they can also be adverse
What are the two grades of biological deterministic effects of ionising radiation?
- Acute
2. Chronic
Give 2 examples of ACUTE deterministic effects of ionising radiation?
- Radiation sickness - If they receive 2-10 Sv whole body irradiation.
- Death - If they receive >10 Sv whole body irradiation
Give 4 examples of CHRONIC deterministic effects of ionising radiation?
- Hair loss
- Cataracts
- Sterility
- Obliterative endarteritis
When do deterministic effects occur?
They occur at random - chance or probability.
Is there a threshold dose associated with non-deterministic effects of ionising radiation?
No, there is no threshold dose.
Who can be damaged by non-deterministic effects of ionising radiation?
In relation to those affected, what are these 2 types of effects known as?
Can damage both the patient exposed to radiation and future children
These effects are known as somatic and genetic effects.
With non-deterministic effects;
Is the amount of damage related to the radiation dose?
No.
Although, there is less chance of damage if exposed to a low dose of radiation over a high dose.
With non-deterministic effects;
What do somatic effects often give rise to?
They often give rise to the development of malignancy
With non-deterministic effects;
What do genetic effects often give rise to?
Can give congenital abnormality which may include malignancy.
However, for these effects to occur the reproductive organs of either male or female would have to be exposed to radiation.
Out of deterministic and non-deterministic effects; which effects are most likely to occur in dentistry?
Non-deterministic effects
This can be problematic.
Why do non-deterministic effects occur more often than deterministic effects in dentistry?
As exposure is not sufficient enough for the radiation to reach a threshold dose that would cause deterministic effects.
List 3 factors that affect radiation dose?
- Type of radiation – we are interested only in x-rays
- Tissues being irradiated
- Age of the patient
Based on SEDENTEXCT, what is the typical effective dose for bitewings/periapicals ?
0.0003 – 0.022 mSv
What is the typical effective dose for DPT ?
0.0027 – 0.038 mSv
What is the typical effective dose for a maxillary occlusal ?
0.008 mSv