Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Radiation protection in Australia: a thirty year perspective

  • Invited Article
  • Published:
Australasian Physics & Engineering Sciences in Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This review charts the changes in radiation protection philosophy, regulation and practice over the thirty year period 1977 – 2007. During this time there have been substantial changes both internationally and in Australia. Medical physicists have been involved, and continue to be involved, in all aspects of radiation protection in medicine at a national, State and hospital level.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Oliver, L. D.,Thirty year celebration of journal publications on radiation oncology medical physics, Australas. Phys. Eng. Sci. Med., 30(1) 1–12, 2007.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. ICRP Publication 26.Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, Annals of the ICRP, 1(3), 1977.

  3. ICRP Publication 28.Statement from the 1978 Stockholm Meeting of the ICRP, Annals of the ICRP, 2(1), 1978.

  4. ICRP Publication 60.1990 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, Annals of the ICRP, 21(1–3), 1991.

  5. NHMRC.Recommended radiation protection standards for individuals exposed to ionising radiation. 1981.

  6. NHMRC & Worksafe Australia.Recommendations for limiting exposure to ionizing radiation (1995) and National standard for limiting occupational exposure to ionizing radiation. Radiation Health Series No. 39.

  7. ICRP Publication 62.Radiological Protection in Biomedical Research, Annals of the ICRP, 22(3), 1991.

  8. ARPANSA,Code of Practice for the Exposure of Humans to Ionizing Radiation for Research Purposes, Radiation Protection Series 8, 2005.

  9. ICRP Publication 73.Radiological Protection and Safety in Medicine, Annals of the ICRP, 26(2), 1996.

  10. ICRP Publication 84.Pregnancy and Medical Radiation, Annals of the ICRP, 30(1), 2000.

  11. ICRP Publication 80.Radiation Dose to Patients from Radiopharmaceuticals, Annals of the ICRP, 28(3), 1998.

  12. ICRP Publication 85.Avoidance of Radiation Injuries from Medical Interventional Procedures, Annals of the ICRP, 30(2), 2000.

  13. ICRP Publication 86.Prevention of Accidental Exposures to Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy, Annals of the ICRP, 30(3), 2000.

  14. ICRP Publication 97.Prevention of High-dose-rate Brachytherapy Accidents, Annals of the ICRP, 35(2), 2005.

  15. ICRP Publication 87.Managing Patient Dose in Computed Tomography, Annals of the ICRP, 30(4), 2000.

  16. ICRP Publication 93.Managing Patient Dose in Digital Radiology, Annals of the ICRP, 34(1), 2004.

  17. ICRP Publication 94.Release of patients after therapy with unsealed radionuclides, Annals of the ICRP, 34(2), 2004.

  18. ICRP Publication 98.Radiation Safety Aspects of Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer using Permanently Implanted Sources, Annals of the ICRP, 35(3), 2005.

  19. New Zealand Government,Radiation Protection Act, 1965.

  20. Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998.

  21. ARPANSA,Discharge of patients undergoing treatment with radioactive substances, Radiation Protection Series 4, 2002.

  22. ARPANSA,Code of Practice for the Security of Radioactive Sources, Radiation Protection Series 11, 2007.

  23. ARPANSA,National Directory for Radiation Protection-Edition 1.0, Radiation Protection Series 6, 2004.

  24. Sim, L. H. and Case, C. C.A comparison of the radiation dose to the lens of the eye from four modern CT scanners. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 11(2), 76–80, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Poletti, J. L., Williamson, B. D. P. and Mitchell, A. W.,Mammography in New Zealand: radiation dose and image quality. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 14(2), 97–102, 1991.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Heggie, J. C. P.,Survey of doses in screening mammography. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 19(4) 207–216, 1996.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Boal, T. J., Cardillo, I. and Einsiedel P.F.,Paediatric doses from diagnostic radiology in Victoria. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 21(2) 57–67, 1998.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Cardillo, I., Boal, T. J. and Einsiedel, P. F.,Patient doses from chest radiography in Victoria. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 20(2) 92–101, 1997.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Cardillo, I., Boal, T. J. and Hedt, J. C.,A survey of radiation doses to adults from diagnostic radiology in Victoria. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 22(2) 64–72 1999.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Boal, T. J., Hedt, J. C. and Einsiedel, P. F.,A survey of patient dose and image quality factors for CT scanners in Victoria. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 22(3) 103–112, 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Gray, N., Rafferty, M. W., Black, J. L., Hartley, B. M. and Thompson, R. I., Stock, B.,A patient dose survey for three common diagnostic radiographic examinations using a dose-area product meter. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 17(2) 79–87, 1994.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Heggie, J. C. P. and Wilkinson, L.E.,Radiation doses from common radiographic procedures: a ten year perspective. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 23(4) 124–134, 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Moss, M. and McLean D.,Paediatric and adult computed tomography practice and patient dose in Australia. Aust Radiol, 50, 33–40, 2006.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Le Heron, J. C. and Coakley, K. S.,ACPSEM Position Paper: CT Screening — whole-body and targeted, Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 27(1) 1–4, 2004.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. RHSAC.Council advice on the use of radiation in preventative medicine, Aug 2002, http://www.arpansa.gov.au/pubs/rhsac/ st1_aug02.pdf

  36. Cormack, J. and Shearer, J.,Calculation of radiation exposures from patients to whom radioactive materials have been administered. Phys Med Biol 43, 501–516, 1998.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Woodings, S.,Radiation protection recommendations for I-131 thyrotoxicosis, thyroid cancer and phaeochromocytoma patients. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 27(3) 118–128 2004.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Smart, R. C.,Task-specific monitoring of the nuclear medicine technologist’s radiation exposure. Radiat Prot Dosim 109, 201–209, 2004.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Towson, J. E., Brackenreg J, Fulham M.J. and Smart R.C.,Radiation doses from tasks performed by nuclear medicine technologists working in a PET/CT facility, ARPS Conference, Nov 2006.

  40. Groth, M. J.,Empirical dose rate and attenuation data for radionuclides in nuclear medicine. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 19(3), 160–167, 1996.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Groth, M. J.,Empirical shielding design data for facilities administering I131 for thyroid carcinoma. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 21(4) 170–178, 1998.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Westall, D. J. and Rubendra, R.,Inspection of radiation shielding installed at diagnostic radiology facilities Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 11(4), 147–149, 1988.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Sephton, R., Das, K. R., Coles, J., Toye, W. and Pinder, P.,Local shielding of high dose rate brachytherapy in an operating theatre. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 22(3) 113–117, 1999.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Boal, T. J., Einseidel, P. F. and Cardillo I.Guidance levels for diagnostic radiology in Victoria. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 23(1) 7–14, 2000.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Heggie, J. C. P.,Pastient doses in multi-slice CT and the importance of optimisation. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 28(2) 86–96, 2005.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Smart, R. C. and Towson, J. E.,Diagnostic reference activities for nuclear medicine procedures in Australia and New Zealand. Rad Protect Australas 17, 2–14, 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Towson, J. E., Smart, R. C. and Rossleigh, M. A.,Radiopharmaceutical activities administered for paediatric nuclear medicine procedures in Australia. Rad Protect Australas 17, 110–120, 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Barton, I. J.,The physics and measurement of solar ultraviolet radiation, Australas Phys Sci Med 2(4), 199–204, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Wilkinson F.J.,Recommended UV exposure limits for tanning equipment, and spectral irradiances of solarium lamps, sunlamps and daylight. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 6(1) 26–34, 1983.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Wilkinson, F. J.,Factors to be considered in establishing an Australian exposure standard for ultraviolet radiation. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 6(3) 115–124, 1983.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Repacholi, M. H.,Potentially hazardous sources of radiofrequency radiation. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 5(4), 161–165, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Wood, A. W.,Possible health effects of 50/60 Hz electric and magnetic fields: review of proposed mechanisms. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 16(1) 1–21, 1993.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Cornelius, W. A.,Applications of lasers in medicine. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 6(3) 100–105, 1983.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Cornelius, W. A.,Laser safety. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 6(3) 106–114, 1983.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. AS/NZS 4173:2004Guide to the safe use of lasers in health care, Standard Australia, 2004.

  56. HURSOG.Guide to radioiodine therapy facility design, 1999, http://www.hursog.org/I131GUID.PDF

  57. HURSOG.Guidelines for the administration of diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, 2000, http://www.hursog.org/Maladmin.pdf

  58. HURSOG.Guideline for the transport of radioactive materials by road between hospitals, universities, research and other medical establishments in NSW, 2005 http://www.hursog.org/Transport_Guidelines_2005.pdf

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nuclear Medicine, St George Hospital, 2217, Kogarah, NSW, Australia

    R. C. Smart

Authors
  1. R. C. Smart
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. C. Smart.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Smart, R.C. Radiation protection in Australia: a thirty year perspective. Australas. Phys. Eng. Sci. Med. 30, 155–159 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03178422

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03178422

Keywords

Search

Navigation