Health physics最新文献

{"title":"A Tertiary Medical Center Experience with Returning Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Patients.","authors":"James Kyle Underwood, Zach Peckham, Glenn Sturchio","doi":"10.1097/HP.0000000000002125","DOIUrl":"10.1097/HP.0000000000002125","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>After implementing a process for flagging readmitted radiopharmaceutical therapy patients, it was discovered that major assumptions for these patients were not correct, specifically the magnitude of patients and the location of the readmissions. Data collected from May to December 2024 revealed 501 post-therapy patient encounters out of 1,139 administrations. Analysis showed varying return rates across different radiopharmaceuticals and departments, highlighting the need for updated radiation safety response. Results indicated that most encounters occurred in outpatient settings, with contamination above action levels found in 61% of responses. The study underscores the importance of continuous assessment and collaboration among stakeholders to adapt to new radiopharmaceutical therapies and ensure effective radiation safety practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":12976,"journal":{"name":"Health physics","volume":" ","pages":"391-395"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147442971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Note on Estimating the Wall Thickness of PET-CT Rooms in Order to Provide Radiation Protection.","authors":"Nahid Masoudi, Tahereh Firuzyar, Tahereh Ghaedian, Fariba Zarei, Sorour Raeiskarimi, Rezvan Ravanfar Haghighi","doi":"10.1097/HP.0000000000002123","DOIUrl":"10.1097/HP.0000000000002123","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The present work examines the possibility of combining new structures to an existing brick wall in order to meet the radiation protection standards, 50 mSv y -1 to staff, for 511 keV gamma rays.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>We derive an expression for the attenuation provided by a composite wall, taking into account photon build-up factors, for a point source of gamma rays. The attenuation coefficients of brick and cement were first calculated by determining their respective densities and using the corresponding mass attenuation coefficients at 511 keV, as given by the NIST tables. From these calculated values we estimated the necessary thickness of an extra reinforcement, composed of brick, mortar, ceramic, and lead, keeping in mind the dose limits.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Experimentally, we found the densities of brick and cement to be 1.52 and 1.80 g per cc, respectively, giving their attenuation coefficients as 0.1322 cm -1 and 0.1566 cm -1 , respectively, at 511 keV. Hence, for brick alone, the necessary wall thickness has to be 35 cm while for the brick and mortar at our disposal, a 30-cm wall suffices giving the average dose to the staff to be within the safe limits.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>To achieve the necessary attenuation, several options exist; however, the cheapest options are with brick, cement, and their suitable combinations, the thickness being decided by the composition of the proposed shielding wall. Neglect of photon build-up overestimates the attenuation and thus underestimates the amount of leakage.</p>","PeriodicalId":12976,"journal":{"name":"Health physics","volume":" ","pages":"368-376"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146226697","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Forward-looking Approach to Public Low-dose Regulation: From Hypothetical Risk to Evaluation of Protection Efforts.","authors":"Diego Miguel Telleria, Francisco Spano","doi":"10.1097/HP.0000000000002126","DOIUrl":"10.1097/HP.0000000000002126","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This paper proposes a revision of the traditional regulatory framework for radiological protection of the public, which has long relied on the combined application of the linear no-threshold (LNT) model and the ALARA principle (\"as low as reasonably achievable\"). The proposed model focuses on the evaluation of tangible protection efforts rather than on the assumptions of hypothetical risk. Termed the Best Protection Approach (BPA), this model assesses the sufficiency, coherence, and traceability of the radiological protection measures in place, rather than regulating hypothetical risks associated with exposures that remain well below the threshold of epidemiological detectability. New operational concepts, such as the Protection Effort Index (PEI) and the Sufficient Protection Benchmark (SPB), are introduced, complemented by standardization tools designed to improve consistency and comparability across different assessors and similar nuclear facilities. The BPA emphasizes the balanced optimization of protective performance rather than indefinite dose minimization, aiming to maintain robust safety, reduce undue regulatory burden, and support clearer communication in low-dose public exposure contexts, particularly near nuclear power plants (NPPs).</p>","PeriodicalId":12976,"journal":{"name":"Health physics","volume":" ","pages":"396-403"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147432610","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Our Monumental Challenge: Eliminating the Fear of Low-level Radiation.","authors":"Wanda Munn, Alan Waltar","doi":"10.1097/HP.0000000000002142","DOIUrl":"10.1097/HP.0000000000002142","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>For far too long, we scientists and engineers have allowed unsubstantiated fear of low-level radiation (LLR) among the public to prevail. And we have failed! Why? We propose two main reasons for this failure: (1) Our profession is divided - International agencies such as ICRP still claim radiation can be dangerous down to trivial levels whereas the science claims precisely the opposite. As such we can't blame the public when they get mixed messages. (2) Even when the truth about safe low-level radiation is explained to the public, decisions are made via emotions (stimulated by fear), not facts. We propose the path forward be guided by new medically validated psychological findings that likely have significant bearing on the two issues noted above. This new psychological insight notes that our brains are wired in a predictive mode, rather than a reaction mode. Hence, when we encounter new information, we deal with it within a framework that fits with past experience. If such new information is in conflict with this expectation, it is highly suspect and likely discarded as biased input. We see this reflected even in our highly respected international organizations such ICRP. The scientists occupying major roles in such institutions are certainly well-meaning, world-class scientists. But is it possible that they enter these roles with a background experience suggesting radiation may always be harmful - and they look for ways to confirm their past beliefs? Even if they find new scientific evidence that LLR is not harmful (and possibly even beneficial) they want to err on the conservative side. But is such a stance really conservative - when we note that there was not a single death at Fukushima due to radiation? Rather, it was the fear of radiation caused by the prevailing assumption that there is no threshold for radiation damage. So, Challenge #1 in our efforts to eliminate fear of LLR is the step to achieve a unified international message, based on science, not to fear LLR. Challenge #2 is to then convey this message to skeptics, recognizing that is emotion, not facts, that will ultimately change minds.</p>","PeriodicalId":12976,"journal":{"name":"Health physics","volume":" ","pages":"331-339"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147467791","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"HEALTH PHYSICS SOCIETY . 2026 AFFILIATE MEMBERS.","authors":"","doi":"10.1097/01.HP.0001258536.01435.50","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/01.HP.0001258536.01435.50","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12976,"journal":{"name":"Health physics","volume":"131 4","pages":"e8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148864852","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Distribution of Natural Radionuclides at the Nevada National Security Site.","authors":"Xianan Liu, Ronald W Warren","doi":"10.1097/HP.0000000000002111","DOIUrl":"10.1097/HP.0000000000002111","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>According to the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) publications, contributions of terrestrial gamma doses are mainly from the presence of 40 K, and of 238 U and 232 Th together with their progeny in various rocks and soils. A survey of soil distributions of radionuclides 40 K, 238 U, and 232 Th was performed at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) using in situ gamma-ray spectrometry with a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The average activity concentrations of 40 K, 238 U, and 232 Th in natural soils at the NNSS are 867 Bq kg -1 (range from 150 ± 8 to 1297 ± 56 Bq kg -1 ), 50 Bq kg -1 (range from 29 ± 3 to 74 ± 8 Bq kg -1 ), and 56 Bq kg -1 (range from 11 ± 2 to 96 ± 10 Bq kg -1 ), respectively. The concentration at each location is significantly associated with its geological lithology. The terrestrial gamma dose rates around the NNSS were estimated from 26 to 144 nSv h -1 with mean value of 93 nSv h -1 . Our results provide useful information about the natural background radiation and radiological effects of naturally occurring radionuclides at the NNSS.</p>","PeriodicalId":12976,"journal":{"name":"Health physics","volume":" ","pages":"273-280"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146105338","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Using a Retrospective Analysis to Conduct Prospective Dose Evaluations for Medical Health Physics Programs.","authors":"Jason D Hout, James Kyle Underwood, James Holland, Glenn M Sturchio","doi":"10.1097/HP.0000000000002120","DOIUrl":"10.1097/HP.0000000000002120","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In radiation safety programs, particularly in large healthcare systems, personal dosimetry is often issued conservatively, leading to unnecessary monitoring of individuals with minimal exposure risk. This study describes a structured approach implemented at Mayo Clinic to evaluate the necessity and exchange frequency of dosimeters using two years of retrospective radiation dose data. Personnel were grouped based on job type and workplace conditions, then dosimetry data was analyzed at the 50th percentile, 95th percentile, and maximum levels against conservative thresholds. Regulatory requirements and managerial input were incorporated throughout the decision-making process. From 2020 to 2024, this method resulted in the reduction of dosimeter frequency for 82 individuals and complete removal for 1,067: reducing dosimeter issuance by 4,912 each year. The approach enabled a more efficient use of resources, allowing radiation safety efforts to be directed toward higher-risk groups and activities without compromising compliance or worker protection. This model provides a conservative, scalable framework for optimizing dosimetry programs in healthcare and potentially other radiation-using industries.</p>","PeriodicalId":12976,"journal":{"name":"Health physics","volume":" ","pages":"362-367"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146105318","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Protective Effect of Memantine Hydrochloride on Radiation-induced Cognitive Impairment and Its Mechanism.","authors":"Xu Wang, Jundong Feng, Xiangdong Sun, Liang Liu, Jun Hu, Qian Li, Hongyu Bo, Chengyu He, Simin Sun, Hao Fu, Liuxin Tian","doi":"10.1097/HP.0000000000002112","DOIUrl":"10.1097/HP.0000000000002112","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Ionizing radiation impairs cognition; safe mitigators are needed. Memantine shows clinical benefit during brain irradiation, but mechanisms are unclear.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A mouse model of total-body irradiation injury was established via gamma rays with the establishment of control groups, irradiation groups, and irradiation+memantine groups. Bioinformatic analyses (target prediction, GO/KEGG enrichment, PPI hub identification) and molecular docking were used to nominate candidate targets and pathways for memantine's radioprotection. Guided by these results, hippocampal levels of nitric oxide (NO), peroxynitrite (ONOO - ), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and β-amyloid (Aβ42) were quantified.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Memantine improved behavioral performance post-irradiation. Enrichment highlighted neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and calcium signaling; docking prioritized CYP2D6 and DRD2. In hippocampus, memantine reduced radiation-induced increases in NO, ONOO - , iNOS, and Aβ42.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Memantine hydrochloride attenuates acute radiation-related cognitive deficits, potentially via modulation of synaptic signaling and suppression of nitrosative stress and Aβ42 accumulation. Findings will be interpreted as generating hypotheses that motivate subsequent mechanistic experiments and preliminary translational work.</p>","PeriodicalId":12976,"journal":{"name":"Health physics","volume":" ","pages":"281-292"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147377257","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Thyroid Size and Short-lived Radionuclides on Measurement Values in Pediatric Thyroid Screening: Simulation Studies.","authors":"Takahiro Kitajima, Mitsuaki Ojima, Reo Etani, Michiaki Kai","doi":"10.1097/HP.0000000000002119","DOIUrl":"10.1097/HP.0000000000002119","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Following the 2011 accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, simplified thyroid screening was carried out in children to determine internal exposure to radioactive iodine. Because NaI(Tl) scintillation survey meters - originally designed for environmental radiation - were used, quantifying radioiodine accumulated in the thyroid involved considerable uncertainty. This study investigated factors impacting measurements, specifically thyroid size (volume) and the contribution of short-lived radionuclides other than ¹³¹I ( 132 I, 133 I, and 135 I) using Monte Carlo simulations with the PHITS code. For 1-y-old children, comparison between standard and minimal thyroid volumes showed that volume differences combined with variations in soft tissue thickness could cause the thyroid equivalent dose to differ by up to 76.5%. Furthermore, considering short-lived radionuclides revealed that at a ¹³¹I thyroid-equivalent dose of 100 mSv, the actual dose could reach 131.7 mSv. Thus, a screening level was used in the simplified method to effectively detect ¹³¹I. As individual differences in thyroid volume exist even among children of the same age, contributions from radionuclides other than ¹³¹I may not be negligible, impacting screening level use. The results suggest that to assess thyroid radiation dose more accurately, it is necessary to consider both age and individual thyroid volume differences, which can cause measurement errors up to 76.5%. Regarding dose contribution from short-lived radionuclides, estimates based on relative proportions of radioactive materials adhered to evacuees' clothing at the time of the accident indicated a maximum impact of 31.7%.</p>","PeriodicalId":12976,"journal":{"name":"Health physics","volume":" ","pages":"293-302"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147377208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Review of Radioactive Strontium for Radiation Protection Purposes.","authors":"Géraldine Landon, Céline Bouvier-Capely, François Fay, Elias Fattal, Guillaume Phan","doi":"10.1097/HP.0000000000002118","DOIUrl":"10.1097/HP.0000000000002118","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Strontium is a ubiquitous element due to its presence, of both natural and anthropogenic origin, in all environmental compartments. In stable or radioactive form, it has numerous industrial and medical applications and is also used in research projects. For radioactive isotopes of strontium, the risk of exposure through irradiation or internal contamination is therefore very real. In addition, in the current international context, CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear) risks have increased and diversified, with a more present terrorist component. Among the possible scenarios, malevolent acts such as the use of a \"dirty bomb\" containing sources of radionuclides (including strontium) currently used in industry, in the medical field, or for research must be envisaged. As a result, the authorities need to have effective and operational tools of prevention and protection at their disposal to be able to respond to these growing threats, which expose not only the civilian population but also the military and first responders. This review presents the most relevant up-to-date data, notably covering biokinetics, health effects, and pharmacological treatments following internal contamination exposure to radioactive strontium compounds. Following this critical review of existing research work, the need for additional advanced knowledge is emphasized in the fields of toxicity and medical treatments, which are fundamental areas in radiation protection.</p>","PeriodicalId":12976,"journal":{"name":"Health physics","volume":" ","pages":"340-361"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146219510","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}