Understand J.O.L in Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear medicine workers have no personal benefit from exposure. Therefore, the justification of occupational exposure must be included as part of the justification for the nuclear medicine practice itself. The risks involved in radiation work should not be greater than those encountered in similar types of work. The upper limit of tolerable risk for the individual is determined by the dose limits, as shown in Table 3.1. However, it is crucial that through optimized protection, the effective dose incurred is kept as low as possible.
In addition to the design of the facility and equipment, shielding of sources, handling of radioactive materials, and personal protective equipment, optimization of radiation protection in the workplace is essential. Education and training are also key components in this process, ensuring that workers are aware of and actively involved in radiation protection measures.
From the examples discussed earlier, it is evident that dose limits for workers can be exceeded if necessary protective precautions are not taken. Radiation protection measures must be applied in every step of the work with radiopharmaceuticals, including patient interaction.
The principal parties responsible for managing occupational exposure are the licensees and employers. They must ensure that exposure is limited and protection is optimized. However, workers also share responsibility by adhering to safety rules, following procedures, and using the monitoring devices and protective equipment provided. Additionally, workers are encouraged to collaborate with employers to continuously improve the workplace protection standards.