• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.53 no.1
• /
• pp.351-356
• /
• 2021

Korean nuclear power plants (NPPs) have various radiation protection programs to attain radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA). In terms of ALARA, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of administrative dose control for occupationally-exposed workers in Korean NPPs. In addition to dose limits, administrative dose constraints are implemented to resolve an inequity of radiation exposure in which some individuals in NPPs receive relatively higher doses than others. Occupational dose constraints in Korean NPPs are presented in this paper with the background of how those values were determined. For pressurized water reactors, 80% and 90% of the annual average limit for an effective dose, 20 mSv/y, are set as the primary and secondary dose constraints, respectively. Pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) have also established the primary and secondary dose constraints corresponding to 70% and 80% of the effective dose limit, and additional constraints for tritium concentration are provided to control internal exposure in PHWRs. Follow-up measures for exceeding these administrative dose constraints are also introduced compared to exceeding the dose limits. Finally, analysis results of dose distributions show how the implementation of administrative dose constraints impacted the occupational dose distributions in Korean NPPs during the years 2009-2018.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.289-295
• /
• 2018

When using a mobile X-ray unit, primary radiation creates medical images and secondary radiation scatters in many directions, which reduces image quality and causes exposure to patients, care givers and medical personnel. The purpose of this study was to develop a radiation shielding system for effectively shielding secondary radiation and evaluate its effectiveness. Using a mobile X-ray unit, spatial dose according to presence of human equivalent phantom and spatial dose using the developed shielding device were measured, and the phantom at 80 cm equidistance from center of X-ray was compared with spatial dose according to use of a shield. Measurements were taken at intervals of 10 cm every $30^{\circ}$ from the head direction($-90^{\circ}$) to the body direction($+90^{\circ}$). In the spatial dose measurement with and without the phantom, when the human equivalent Phantom was used, the spatial dose was increased by 40% in all directions from 40 cm to 100 cm from the central X-ray, and about 88% of the space dose was reduced when using the developed shields with the phantom. The equidistance dose at 80 cm from the central X-ray was increased by 39% from $5.1{\pm}0.26{\mu}Gy$ to $7.1{\pm}0.15{\mu}Gy$ when the human equivalent phantom was used, and when phantom was used and shielding was used, the spatial dose was reduced by about 90% from $7.1{\pm}0.15{\mu}Gy$ to $0.7{\pm}0.07{\mu}Gy$. The spatial dose of natural radiation was measured to be about $0.2{\pm}0.04{\mu}Gy$ when using the developed shielding with Phantom at a distance of 1 m or more. It is expected that by using the developed shielding system, it will be possible to effectively reduce secondary radiation dose received in all directions and to ensure safe imaging.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.39-47
• /
• 2021

Background: The National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology-National Institute of Radiological Sciences (QST-NIRS) has continuously investigated the undesired radiation exposure in ion beam radiotherapy mainly in carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT). This review introduces our investigations on the secondary neutron dose in CIRT with the broad and scanning beam methods. Materials and Methods: The neutron ambient dose equivalents in CIRT are evaluated based on rem meter (WENDI-II) measurements. The out-of-field organ doses assuming prostate cancer and pediatric brain tumor treatments are also evaluated through the Monte Carlo simulation. This evaluation of the out-of-field dose includes contributions from secondary neutrons and secondary charged particles. Results and Discussion: The measurements of the neutron ambient dose equivalents at a 90#x00B0; angle to the beam axis in CIRT with the broad beam method show that the neutron dose per treatment dose in CIRT is lower than that in proton radiotherapy (PRT). For the scanning beam with the energy scanning technique, the neutron dose per treatment dose in CIRT is lower than that in PRT. Moreover, the out-of-field organ doses in CIRT decreased with distance to the target and are less than the lower bound in intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) shown in AAPM TG-158 (American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group). Conclusion: The evaluation of the out-of-field doses is important from the viewpoint of secondary cancer risk after radiotherapy. Secondary neutrons are the major source in CIRT, especially in the distant area from the target volume. However, the dose level in CIRT is similar or lower than that in PRT and IMRT, even if the contributions from all radiation species are included in the evaluation.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.93-101
• /
• 2006

Background: Memory T lymphocytes of the immune system provide long-term protection in response to bacterial or viral infections/immunization. Ag concentration has also been postulated to be important in determining whether T cell differentiation favors effector versus memory cell development. In the present study we hypothesized that naive Ag-specific $CD4^+$ T cells briefly stimulated with different Ag doses at the primary exposure could affect establishment of memory cell pool after secondary immunization. Methods: To assess this hypothesis, the response kinetics of DO11.10 TCR $CD4^+$ T cells primed with different Ag doses in vitro was measured after adoptive transfer to naive BALB/c mice. Results: Maximum expansion was shown in cells primarily stimulated with high doses of ovalbumin peptide $(OVA_{323-339})$, whereas cells in vitro stimulated with low dose were expanded slightly after in vivo secondary exposure. However, the cells primed with low $OVA_{323-339}$ peptide dose showed least contraction and established higher number of memory cells than other treated groups. When the cell division was analyzed after adoptive transfer, the high dose Ag-stimulated donor cells have undergone seven rounds of cell division at 3 days post-adoptive transfer. However, there was very few division in naive and low dose of peptide-treated group. Conclusion: These results suggest that primary stimulation with a low dose of Ag leads to better memory $CD4^+$ T cell generation after secondary immunization. Therefore, these facts imply that optimally primed $CD4^+$ T cells is necessary to support effective memory pool following administration of booster dose in prime-boost vaccination.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
• /
• v.54 no.7
• /
• pp.2736-2747
• /
• 2022

The operations in the design lifecycle of a nuclear power plant targeted to be decommissioned lead to neutron activation. Operations in the decommissioning process include cutting, decontamination, disposal, and processing. Among these, cutting is done close to the target material, and thus workers are exposed to radiation. As there are only a few studies on pressurizers, there arises the need for further research to assess the radiation exposure dose. This study obtained the specifications of the AP1000 pressurizer of Westinghouse and the distribution of radionuclide inventory of a pressurizer in a pressurised water reactor for evaluation based on literature studies. A cutting scenario was created to develop an optimal method so that the cut pieces fill a radioactive solid waste drum with dimensions 0.571 m × 0.834 m. The estimated exposure dose, estimated using the tool VISIPLAN SW, in terms of the decontamination factor (DF) ranged from DF-0 to DF-100, indicating that DF-90 and DF-100 meet the ICRP recommendation on exposure dose 0.0057 mSv/h. At the end of the study, although flame cutting was considered the most efficient method in terms of cutting speed, laser cutting was the most reasonable one in terms of the financial aspects and secondary waste.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.87-95
• /
• 2015

Purpose : This study presents the usefulness assessment of secondary shield for the lens exposure dose reduction during radiation treatment of peripheral orbit. Materials and Methods : We accomplished IMRT treatment plan similar with a real one through the computed treatment planning system after CT simulation using human phantom. For the secondary shield, we used Pb plate (thickness 3mm, diameter 25mm) and 3 mm tungsten eye-shield block. And we compared lens dose using OSLD between on TPS and on simulation. Also, we irradiated 200 MU(6 MV, SPD(Source to Phantom Distance)=100 cm, $F{\cdot}S\;5{\times}5cm$) on a 5cm acrylic phantom using the secondary shielding material of same condition, 3mm Pb and tungsten eye-shield block. And we carried out the same experiment using 8cm Pb block to limit effect of leakage & transmitted radiation out of irradiation field. We attached OSLD with a 1cm away from the field at the side of phantom and applied a 3mm bolus equivalent to the thickness of eyelid. Results : Using human phantom, the Lens dose on IMRT treatment plan is 315.9cGy and the real measurement value is 216.7cGy. And after secondary shield using 3mm Pb plate and tungsten eye-shield block, each lens dose is 234.3, 224.1 cGy. The result of a experiment using acrylic phantom, each value is 5.24, 5.42 and 5.39 cGy in case of no block, 3mm Pb plate and tungsten eye-shield block. Applying O.S.B out of the field, each value is 1.79, 2.00 and 2.02 cGy in case of no block, 3mm Pb plate and tungsten eye-shield block. Conclusion : When secondary shielding material is used to protect critical organ while irradiating photon, high atomic number material (like metal) that is near by critical organ can be cause of dose increase according to treatment region and beam direction because head leakage and collimator & MLC transmitted radiation are exist even if it's out of the field. The attempt of secondary shield for the decrease of exposure dose was meaningful, but untested attempt can have a reverse effect. So, a preliminary inspection through Q.A must be necessary.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.25-32
• /
• 1984

The pathological changes of stomach of the rat following 1,000 rad and 1,800 rad single exposure by Cobalt-60 has been made with 50 experimental rats. The dose of 1,000 rad and 1,800 rad single exposure were equivalent of biologic effect of 2,500 rad in 2 1/2 weeks and 6,000 rad in 6 weeks. Following single exposure, the groups of rat were terminated in 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 weeks intervals and the stomach were fixed to formalin solution immediatly after dissection. The pathological changes were as follows : 1. Following 1,000 rad single exposure, the stomach show only mild to moderate submucosal edema in 4,8,12 weeks group. 1 and 2 weeks group show no changes. 2. Following 1,800 rad single exposure, $32\%(8/25)$ of rats were dead by radiation effect and all other groups of stomach revealed variable pathological changes such as submucosal edema, squamous dysplasia, squamous papilloma as well as squamous cell carcinoma. 3. Optimal tolerance dose to the stomach was $4,500\~5,000$rad when irradiation given by supervoltage. The entire stomach was included within the irradiation field, the dose to the stomach should not exceed 6,000 rad. 4. In conclusion, the radiation injury to the stomach were more direct radiation effects to the gastric mucosa rather than secondary changes of radiation injured vessels.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.41 no.5
• /
• pp.397-403
• /
• 2018

Mobile X-ray generators are used not in the radiation area but in open space, which causes the exposure of secondary radiation to the healthcare professionals, patients, guardians, etc., regardless of their intentions. This study aimed to investigate the shielding effect of the developed radiation restrictor to block the secondary radiation scattered during the use of mobile X-ray generator. Upon setting the condition of mobile X-ray generator with chest AP, spatial doses were measured by the existence of human equivalent phantom and radiation restrictor, and measured by the existences of phantom and radiation restrictor at the same length of 100 cm. Measurements were taken at intervals of 10 cm every $30^{\circ}$ from $-90^{\circ}$ (head direction) to $+90^{\circ}$ (body direction). Upon the study results, spatial doses in all direction were increased by 45% on average when using phantom in the same condition, however, they were decreased by 64% on average when using the developed radiation restrictor. The dose at 100 cm from the center of X-ray was $3.0{\pm}0.08{\mu}Gy$ without phantom and was increased by 40% with $4.2{\pm}0.08{\mu}Gy$ after phantom usage. The dose when using phantom and the developed radiation restrictor was $1.4{\pm}0.08{\mu}Gy$, which was decreased by 66% compared to the case without using them. Therefore, it is considered the scattered radiation can be shielded at 100-150 cm, the regulation of the distance between beds, effectively with the developed radiation restrictor when using mobile X-ray generators, which can lower the radiation exposure to the people nearby including healthcare professionals and patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.243-248
• /
• 2023

This study aims to analyze the secondary carcinogenesis rate caused by exposure of organs at risk of damage using a glass dosimeter during radiosurgery in vestibular schwannoma disease. Using a pediatric phantom of human tissue equivalent material, the volume of the tumor was set to a total of three volumes: 0.506 cm³, 1.008 cm³, and 2.032 cm³, and a radiosurgery plan was established with an average dose of 18.4 ± 3.4 Gy. After mounting the human body phantom on the table of surgical equipment, glass dosimeters were placed on the right eye, left eye, thyroid gland, thymus, right lung, and left lung to measure the exposure dose, respectively. In this study, the incidence of secondary cancer due to exposure to damaged organs during gamma knife radiosurgery in vestibular schwannoma disease with the largest tumor volume of 2.032 cm³ was measured with a glass dosimeter. This study studies the risk of secondary radiation exposure dose that can occur during stereotactic radiosurgery, and it is considered that it will be used as basic data in the field of radiation damage related to the stochastic effect of radiation in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.45-50
• /
• 2013

Non-invasive technique CT, called automated computed tomography, is used to detect lesion of a patient when diagnosing human body. Information obtained from CT plays an important role in assembling 3 dimensional images. Recently, new equipment, operated by CT, is required which can be appliable to physical and biological research. In accordance to this quest, micro-CT is invented that produce more detail and concrete information. Images supplied by CT are even more detailed and concrete, so it contributes much to the development of biology and polymer material engineering field. However, there has been little reliable reports regarding measuring information of space dose distribution about exposure dose limit of users operating micro-CT. In addition, little reports regarding space dose distribution of exposure has been known about unwanted diffraction light produced by usage of micro-CT. The exterior of micro-CT is covered by lead, which is for removing exposure of diffraction light. Thus, even if it is good enough to prevent exposure of diffraction light, consistent management of equipment will be required as time goes by and equipment are getting old as well. We measured space dose distribution regarding exposure of diffraction light of users operating micro-CT directly. Therefore, we suggest that proper management should be necessary for users operating micro-CT not to be exposed by unwanted diffraction light.