Over-exposure during work with x-ray crystallographic equipment

Journal Article · Mon Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1973 · Radiol. Prot. Bull., no. 5, pp. 15-16

OSTI ID:4362871

Linsley, G S

A case is recorded of over-exposure received by an experienced service engineer of a firm manufacturing x-ray crystallographic equipment. The first indication of an incident was the development of a radiation burn on two fingers of the left hand. Reconstruction of the subject's movements during the previous month indicated that the incident occurred whilst servicing a Technical College diffraction apparatus. The safety shutter mechanisms and a filter disc had been removed to enable the tube head to be aligned by hand. Subsequent measurements at the tube window using thermoluminescent dosemeters, showed the dose rate to be ~120 rads/sec at a tube of 20 Kv, 6 mA. A radiotherapy specialist concluded that the burn's appearance was consistent with a dose of 1500 to 2000 rads of x radiation. The skin appearance and surface tissues appeared to recover after several months. The equivalent whole body dose, estimated by chromosome aberration analysis, was below the level of detection of the technique (i.e. less than ~15 rads.) (UK)

• Research Organization: National Radiological Protection Board, Harwell, Eng.
• NSA Number: NSA-29-010426
• OSTI ID: 4362871
• Journal Information: Radiol. Prot. Bull., no. 5, pp. 15-16, Journal Name: Radiol. Prot. Bull., no. 5, pp. 15-16; ISSN RDPBA
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*PERSONNEL-- RADIATION BURNS
*X-RAY TUBES-- RADIATION ACCIDENTS
BIOASSAY
CHROMOSOMAL ABERRATIONS
DOSE RATES
KEV RANGE 10-100
LOCAL IRRADIATION
MAINTENANCE
N48510* --Life Sciences--Radiation Effects on Animals--Man
RADIATION DOSES
X-RAY DIFFRACTION