Basic Radiation Protection

Radiologic
Technology
profession is a
safe occupation
Basic Radiation Protection

1. ALARA principle- as low as reasonably achievable

2. Filtration-used metal filters such as Aluminum or Copper. Inserted to

the x-ray tube housing so that low energy x-rays are absorbed before
they reach the patient.
-TOTAL FILTRATION SHOULD NOT BE LESS
THAN 2.5mm ALUMINUM BUT DOES NOT
EXCEED 2.5mm Al.
3. Collimation-restricts the useful x-ray beam to
that part of the body to be imaged and thereby
spares adjacent tissue from unnecessary
exposure.
-It has different forms; Adjustable light-
locating collimation - most commonly used
collimating device.
-Reduced scatter radiation and thus
improve image contrast.

4. Intensifying screen -it reduces exposure of

the patient to x-ray by more than 95% compared
with examination conducted without radiographic
intensifying screens.
5. Protective Apparel- lead impregnated material is used to
make aprons and gloves worn by radiologist and radiologic
technologists during fluoroscopy and some radiographic
procedures

-THESE DEVICES ARE USSUALLY MADE OF LEAD OR ANY

METALS WHICH HAVE HIGH ATOMIC NUMBER..METALS WITH
HIGH ATOMIC NUMBER ARE EFFECTIVE IN ABSORBING
SCATTER RADIATION.LEAD IS USSUALLY PREFERRED BECAUSE
OF IT’S HIGH ATOMIC NUMBER(82)IT IS ABUNDANT AND
LIGHTER THAN OTHER METALS.
6. Gonadal shielding- lead-impragnated material
used in aprons and gloves is used to fabricate
gonadal shields
-it should be used with all persons of
childbearing age when the gonads are in or near the
useful x-ray beam
-it should not interfere with the diagnostic
value of the examination
7. protective barriers
radiographic console is located behind the barrier
with lead or thick walls; where the RT go every time
they will make x-ray exposures.
Leaded glass window- glass with lead that enables
RT to see the patient inside the radiographic
exposure room.
The Alara 3-key Factors

• Time - The less time you spend near a source, the less
radiation you will receive.
• Shielding - The more shielding you have, the less radiation you will
receive.
• Distance - The farther you get from a source, the less radiation you will
receive.
 
The Ten Commandments of Radiation
Protection
• 1. Understand and apply the cardinal principles of radiation
control; time, distance and shielding
• 2. Do not allow familiarity to result in false security
• 3. Never stand in the primary beam
The Ten Commandments of Radiation
Protection
4. Always wear protective apparel
when not behind a protective
barrier.
5. Always wear an occupational
radiation monitor and position it
outside the protective apron at the
collar
The Ten Commandments of Radiation
Protection

6. Never hold a patient during radiographic

examination. Use mechanical restraining devices when
possible. Otherwise, have parents or friends hold the
patient.

7. The person who is holding the patient must always

wear protective apron and if possible protective gloves.

8. Use gonadal shields on all people of childbearing age

when such use will not interfere with the examination
The Ten Commandments of Radiation
Protection
9. Examination of the pelvis and abdomen
of a pregnant patient should be avoided
whenever possible, especially during the
first trimester.

10. Always collimate to the smallest field

size appropriate for the examination.