EXTREMITY AND EYE LENS DOSES OF INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY AND CARDIOLOGY WORKERS

An interventional radiology and cardiology workers during interventional radiology procedures receive higher ionizing radiation doses in comparison with other groups of medical staff. This category of workers has higher potential risk of negative health effects (such as cataract) caused from occupational ionizing radiation exposure. It is known that external ionizing exposure distribution to the body of medical worker during interventional radiology procedures is non uniform. The aim of this work was to assess occupational exposure doses of extremities and eye lens of medical staff during interventional radiology procedures. The doses of extremities and eye lens of interventional radiology and cardiology workers were measured during 55 interventional radiology procedures. The average eye lens dose of interventional radiology and cardiology physicians were about two times higher than the average dose near the neck above the protective apron. The maximum measured dose of physicians were: 0,79 mSv (left eye), 1,01 mSv (left shoulder), 1,29 mSv (finger), 1,50 mSv (left leg) per procedure. The study results show that annual dose of eyes and extremities of interventional radiology and cardiology physicians might result in more than 10 % of the annual dose limit to eyes and extremities.