09127 - Radioprotection (BO)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the module the student will be able to use the knowledge and the ability to understand notions related to the radiation protection of man, the environment and things.

Course contents

Description of the various investigation techniques used in radiodiagnostics: Traditional radiology, CT, MRI, Ultrasound, Scintigraphy: how they work; what they allow us to view and when they are requested; what do they use to get the images.

History of radiation protection from the discovery of X-rays to accidental events. Short-term and long-term biological damage.

General rules on work and health (Constitution, Civil Code, Penal Code) European Directive and national legislation.

Reference legislative framework for the protection of health and the environment. Current legislation, definitions, structure, areas: legislative decrees 106/09, 230/95 and 241/00.

Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. Corpuscular ionizing radiation. Electromagnetic radiation: X-rays and gamma rays.

Sources of ionizing radiation in the medical field: radioactive substances and x-ray machines.

Interaction of ionizing radiation with matter: penetration of ionizing radiation into matter; interaction of ionizing radiation with a biological system; physical, chemical and biological phase.

The atomic structure. The ionization of matter. Cellular DNA damage. Biological effects of ionizing radiation. Deterministic and stochastic effects. In utero irradiation: deterministic and stochastic effects on the embryo and fetus.

Quantities used in radiation protection. Absorbed dose, equivalent dose, effective dose. The measure of the dose: the Gray and the Sievert.

Ionizing radiation and the environment in which we live. Natural sources of ionizing radiation. Artificial sources of ionizing radiation.

Radioactivity and radioactive decay: unit of measurement the Bequerel (Bq). Scintigraphy and radiotherapy: risks from radiation coming from the patient.

Fundamental principles of radiation protection and current legislation. The principles of justification, optimization, dose limits.

Physical and medical surveillance of radiation protection.

Main factors of radiation protection: distance; time; fixed, mobile and personal shielding.

Methods of use and risks from ionizing radiation in a hospital (in particular in the Radiology, Radiotherapy, Nuclear Medicine Operating Units, in the Operating Theater and in the Ward). The classification of work areas and workers. Type A workers, type B workers and the population.

Internal radioprotection standards.

Personal and environmental dosimetry.

Readings/Bibliography

Handouts and lecture notes.

Various Authors "AIRM Guidelines - Medical Surveillance of Workers Exposed to Ionizing Radiation"

Legislative Decree 230/95

Teaching methods

teaching frontal lesson with video projector and discussion with the learners

Assessment methods

Oral examination

Teaching tools

PC and video projector
white paper board

Office hours

See the website of Mauro Branchini