Radiation Safety Training for Radiation Therapists: Exposure Limits & Best Practices

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.

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.