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Health physics2024; 127(5); 625-632; doi: 10.1097/HP.0000000000001841

Operational Radiation Safety Considerations During Equine Superficial Radiation Treatment Using Portable X-Ray Devices.

Abstract: Veterinary personnel exposure due to scattered x rays, when present during superficial radiation treatment (SRT), was evaluated. Veterinary personnel presence is needed during SRT to minimize the degree of required aesthesia to horses. Animal treatment was simulated, and exposure rates determined for 50, 70, and 100 kV x rays using eight different SRT applicators. Exposure rates at the surface of a solid water phantom (SWP) phantom ranged from 3.9 mR h-1 to 396 mR h-1 for 50 kV, from 41 mR h-1 to 2,880 mR h-1 for 70 kV, and from 235 mR h-1 to 7,500 mR h-1, for 100 kV, respectively. A horse phantom was used to mimic SRT equine ocular treatment creating a spatial exposure field where the directional scatter was measured at 1 m. The minimum distance away from the source to reach < 2 mR h-1 varied with angular position and energy and was lowest for all energies directly behind the x-ray tube. The closest distance before exceeding 2 mR h-1 at 50 kVp was determined to 1.96 m. A worker could stand 1 m behind the x-ray tube at 50 kVp with 0.25 mm lead for 15,106 hours. Typical SRT treatment times for horse eyelid squamous cell carcinoma are less than 5 minutes, and radiation doses to practitioners are expected to be well below local administrative ALARA limits.
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Publication Date: 2024-05-26 PubMed ID: 40482219DOI: 10.1097/HP.0000000000001841Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research examines how much radiation veterinary staff may be exposed to during superficial radiation treatment (SRT) using portable X-ray devices on horses, with the aim to understand the safest practices to minimize exposure.

Objective of the Research

  • The primary aim of the study was to quantitatively evaluate the potential amount of scattered X-ray radiation exposure to veterinary personnel when they are present during superficial radiation treatment (SRT) for horses. The secondary purpose was to establish safe practices and positioning for the staff.

Methodology

  • The investigators simulated the treatment of an animal to examine radiation exposure under various scenarios.
  • The experimentation involved the use of eight different SRT applicators, and the exposure rates were determined for 50, 70, and 100 kV X-rays.
  • The investigators also used solid water phantom (SWP) and horse phantoms to mimic the horse’s body. They measured the exposure rates at the surface of the phantoms.
  • They also simulated the equine ocular (eye) treatment and created a spatial exposure field to measure the directional scatter at a 1-meter distance.
  • They also explored the minimum safe distance needed from the source to reach an exposure rate below 2 mR h-1 (milliroentgen per hour) under different energy levels and angular positions.

Findings

  • The study found that exposure rates ranged significantly depending on the kV level of the X-rays, the type of SRT applicator, and the position relative to the X-ray source.
  • At the lowest level (50 kV), the closest safe distance to the X-ray source, with an exposure rate of less than 2 mR h-1, was found to be 1.96 meters.
  • The researchers also calculated that a worker could stand 1 meter behind the X-ray tube at a 50 kVp level with a 0.25mm lead shielding for over 15,000 hours without exceeding the exposure limit.
  • Considering that typical SRT treatments for horse eyelid squamous cell carcinoma last less than 5 minutes, it was determined that the radiation doses to veterinary practitioners are expected to be well below the set local administrative ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) limits.

Conclusion

  • The research helped establish safe operational practices for equine superficial radiation treatment using portable X-ray devices to minimize the exposure risk to veterinary personnel. It underlined the importance of paying attention to the level of X-rays used, the type of applicator, and the positioning of the staff relative to the X-ray source.

Cite This Article

APA
Singh A, Johnson T, Wotman K, Leary D. (2024). Operational Radiation Safety Considerations During Equine Superficial Radiation Treatment Using Portable X-Ray Devices. Health Phys, 127(5), 625-632. https://doi.org/10.1097/HP.0000000000001841

Publication

Health physics
ISSN: 1538-5159
NlmUniqueID: 2985093R
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 127
Issue: 5
Pages: 625-632

Researcher Affiliations

Singh, Ashutosh
  • Department of Environment and Radiological Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
Johnson, Thomas
  • Department of Environment and Radiological Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
Wotman, Kathryn
  • Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.
Leary, Del
  • Department of Environment and Radiological Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Occupational Exposure / prevention & control
  • Occupational Exposure / analysis
  • Radiation Protection / methods
  • X-Rays
  • X-Ray Therapy / instrumentation
  • X-Ray Therapy / adverse effects
  • Phantoms, Imaging
  • Humans
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Portable X-Ray

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This article includes 21 references
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