Is nuclear medicine staffs’ perception of risk following a 500 mSv skin dose incident from a Tc-99m source or a Ra-223 source correct?
In practice, there is no risk of erythema and the skin cancer risk is extremely low. This applies to Tc-99m and to Ra-223. Also, the IRR2017 allow for someone who receives an overexposure to continue to work, with modified dose limits and agreement from the appointed doctor. All staff groups need to have a clearer understanding of the risks and implications of receiving this level of skin dose. The high anxiety levels indicate that return to work needs careful communication that it is because of low risks and within the legal framework.
Authors
- W. A. R. Thomson
- Jenny D. Thompson-Peters
- Joseph Burmiston
- Joseph O’Brien
- Jilly Croasdale
Institutions
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
- Metropolitan Hospital (GR)
- Hospital Metropolitano (EC)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nuclear Medicine Communications
- Published
- 2026-03-02
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1097/mnm.0000000000002123
- Primary Topic
- Radiation Dose and Imaging
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00