Re: fluoroscopy exposure

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@earthlink.net>]

As an example, I have selected portions of the Radiation Protection 
Dose Limits from the State of Michigan. They are currently under 
Quarterly Limits. Note the eye is defined as PART of the whole 
body, and therefore, comes under the limits for the quarterly whole 
body limits, i.e., 1.25 rem/qtr.

Rule 203. (5) states:

As used in this part "dose to the whole body" includes any dose to 
the whole body, gonads, active blood-forming organs, head and 
trunk, or lens of the eye.


PERMISSIBLE DOSES, LEVELS AND CONCENTRATIONS

R325.5203. Exposure of individuals to radiation.

Rule 203. (1) Except as provided in subrules (3), (4) and (6) a 
licensee or registrant shall not receive, possess, use or transfer 
sources of radiation in such a manner as to cause any individual to 
receive in any period from all sources of radiation in the licensee's 
or registrant's possession a dose in excess of the limits specified 
in table 1 of rule 205. A licensee or registrant shall not be held 
liable for meeting the dose limit for fertile women (with respect to 
fetus) listed in table 1 until and unless the employee has submitted 
written notice to the licensee or registrant of the pregnant 
condition. Potential risk of exposure if any, to the fetus before the 
written notice is received shall be assumed by the employee as a 
condition of employment as a radiation worker. Following receipt of 
written notice, the employee's dosimeter record shall be reviewed 
immediately and necessary steps shall be taken to meet the dose 
limit specified in table 1 of rule 205.  

(2) For determining the doses specified in rules 203 to 215, a dose 
from x- or gamma rays up to 10 MeV may be assumed to be 
equivalent to the exposure measured by a properly calibrated 
appropriate instrument in air at or near the body surface of the 
region of the highest exposure rate.  

(3) A licensee or registrant may permit an individual in a restricted 
area to receive a dose to the whole body greater than that 
permitted in subrule (1) if:  

(a) The annual dose does not exceed 5 rems in any 1 year and 
during any calendar quarter the dose to the whole body from 
sources of radiation in the licensee's or registrant's possession 
does not exceed 3 rems. (b) The dose to the whole body, when 
added to the accumulated occupational dose to the whole body, 
does not exceed 5 (N-18) rems where "N" equals the individual's 
age in years at his last birthday. (c) The licensee or registrant has 
determined the individual's accumulated occupational dose to the 
whole body on Form RH-101, or on a clear and legible record 
containing all the information required in that form and has 
otherwise complied with the requirements of rule 206.  

(4) Upon application showing an operational need, the department 
may authorize radiation doses at a higher annual level than the 
limits set forth in subrule (1) provided that the dose does not 
exceed 3 rems per quarter and that, based on the determination of 
the individual's prior radiation record, his accumulated occupational 
dose does not exceed 5 (N-18) rems where "N" equals the 
individual's age in years at his last birthday.  

(5) As used in this part "dose to the whole body" includes any 
dose to the whole body, gonads, active blood-forming organs, head 
and trunk, or lens of the eye.

(6) Nothing in this part shall be interpreted as limiting the exposure 
of members of emergency response teams to radiation under 
emergency circumstances for the purpose of minimizing danger to 
life or property. Such teams may include police, fire, ambulance 
and paramedical crews
acting in the course of their assigned duties.

[Note: As a result of Executive Orders 1996-1 and 1996-2, the 
authority, powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities of the 
radiation machine registration, licensing, and compliance program 
were transferred to the Michigan Department of Consumer & 
Industry Services. The Department of Consumer & Industry 
Services has renamed Form RH-101 to BHS-101.]  

R325.5205. Dose limits.

Rule 205.

                                             TABLE 1

Maximum Permissible Dose Equivalent for Occupational Exposure

Dose to the whole body*    1.25 rem per quarter
Skin of whole body            7.5 rems per quarter
Hands                            18.75 rems per quarter
Fertile women (with respect to fetus) 0.5 rem in gestation period
                           
Maximum Permissible Dose Equivalent for Non-Occupational   
Exposure Individual   0.5 rem in any one year
                           
Population Dose Limits
Genetic  0.17 rem average per year
Somatic  0.17 rem average per year
                           
                                                                       


------------------
Sandy Perle
Technical Director
ICN Dosimetry Division
ICN Plaza
3300 Hyland Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Office: (800) 548-5100 x2306 
Fax:    (714) 668-3149
  
sandyfl@earthlink.net
sperle@icnpharm.com

ICN Dosimetry Website:
http://www.dosimetry.com

Personal Website:
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/1205

"The object of opening the mind, as of opening 
the mouth, is to close it again on something solid"
              - G. K. Chesterton -

The opinions expressed are solely, absolutely, positively, definitely those of the author, and NOT my employer
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