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Radiation Safety for Radiation Therapists

Medical services use radiation. Brachytherapy is a radioactive treatment in which radioactive material is placed on or near a tumor or cancer cells. Radiopharmecutical is an "unsealed" radioactive drug given orally or intravenously which can cause radiation exposure to therapists.

  1. Exposure Limits

    • The maximum exposure level for people who work near radiation sources is 5 rem (5000 mrem) per year. Due to radiopharmecutical exposure, training is vital for therapists and other health care professionals to reduce exposure levels.

    Exposure

    • Therapists face risks associated with radiation that may not be readily apparent. For example, when treating a patient receiving radiopharmecuticals, the person's bodily fluids contain levels of radiation. Urine, vomit and even clothing must be treated as radioactive.

    Protection

    • Limiting radiation exposure is commonly taught as, "As low as reasonably achievable (ALARA)." In this model, therapists are taught to minimize the amount of time near a source of radiation, including time near patients receiving treatment. Another precaution is to maximize the distance to a radiation source. Using shielding is an aspect of protection. A shield is typically a lead-based material that can be worn or positioned for additional protection.

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