Irradiation to Ensure the Safety and Quality of Prepared Meals

This publication (STI/PUB/1365, 375 pp. Date of Issue: 8 April 2009) presents the results of an FAO/IAEA coordinated research project (CRP) on the use of irradiation to ensure the safety and quality of pre-prepared foods. There is an increasing worldwide demand for pre-prepared and take-away meals. However, the traditional methods of preparing convenience foods via retort-processing and freezing are being replaced in favour of chilled foods, due mainly to their fresher and often more appealing appearance. Chilled prepared foods, however, are non-sterile and their heightened potential for microbiological contamination creates a considerable limitation to their shelf-life. The findings of this CRP demonstrate that radiation processing of pre-prepared meals results in a safer product by eliminating existing pathogens, and thereby reducing health risks while extending the foods’ commercial shelf-life.

This publication presents the findings of the CRP and offers a discussion of the possible further utilization and marketing of this new application of irradiation technology (IAEA News)

FDA Unveils Initiative to Reduce Unnecessary Radiation Exposure from Medical Imaging

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced an initiative to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure from three types of medical imaging procedures: computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine studies, and fluoroscopy. These procedures are the greatest contributors to total radiation exposure within the U.S. population and use much higher radiation doses than other radiographic procedures, such as standard X-rays, dental X-rays, and mammography.

These types of imaging exams expose patients to ionizing radiation, a type of radiation that can increase a person’s lifetime cancer risk. Accidental exposure to very high amounts of radiation also can cause injuries, such as skin burns, hair loss and cataracts. Health care decisions made by patients and their physicians should include discussions of the medical need and associated risks for each procedure.

While there is some disagreement over the extent of the cancer risk associated with exposure to radiation from medical imaging, there is broad agreement that steps can and should be taken to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure. For example, the radiation dose associated with a CT abdomen scan is the same as the dose from approximately 400 chest X-rays. In comparison, a dental X-ray calls for approximately one-half the radiation dose of a chest X-ray. Both diagnostics serve important, sometimes critical, public health needs.

Through the FDA’s regulatory oversight of medical imaging devices, such as CT scanners, and through collaboration with other federal agencies and health care professional groups, the FDA is advocating the adoption of two principles of radiation protection: appropriate justification of the radiation procedure and optimization of the radiation dose used during each procedure. The three-pronged initiative the FDA is announcing is expected to promote the safe use of medical imaging devices, support informed clinical decision-making, and increase patient awareness of their own exposure.

The FDA recommends that health care professional organizations continue to develop, in collaboration with the agency, diagnostic radiation reference levels for medical imaging procedures, and increase efforts to develop one or more national registries for radiation doses. Quality assurance practices into the mandatory accreditation and conditions of participation survey processes for imaging facilities and hospitals. In a bid to empower patients and increase awareness, the FDA is collaborating with other organizations to develop and disseminate a patient medical imaging history card. This tool, which will be available on the FDA’s Web site, will allow patients to track their own medical imaging history and share it with their physicians, especially when it may not be included in their medical records (FDA NEWS RELEASE).

Training requirements in radiological and nuclear safety

Education and training are indispensable to the development of human resources in industries around the world. Nuclear industries promote the safe use of nuclear technologies for peaceful applications in various fields, in medicine, industry and agriculture. Medical applications and radiation processing of products (food stuff, medical supplies, synthetic and rubber items, cables, etc) have seen tremendous growth. This is in addition to the on-going growth, world wide, in nuclear power generation. Different categories of man power, such as scientists, engineers, biologists, technical, semi-technical and labor are required for the safe operations of the facilities and the activities. Unlike other industries, due to the radioactive nature of the activities, there is potential for radiation exposures, which can be harmful if not controlled.

Thus, for the safe conduct of these applications, the man power required should be suitably educated and trained in the fields of nuclear and radiological safety. This is the mandatory requirement as per the regulations covering all the activities involving radiation and radioisotopes. The fields of nuclear and radiation safety are multi-disciplinary in nature, comprising of inter-related parts of nuclear physics, chemistry, biology, statistics and other specialized areas.

To meet these requirements, there is tremendous scope for private agencies, universities and scientific associations to develop nuclear industry-specific human resources which are trained / educated in nuclear and radiation safety. The national regulators should take proactive steps in this direction.

Preventing Accidental Exposures from New External Beam Radiation Therapy Technologies

ICRP Publication 112; Ann. ICRP 39 (4), 2009

Disseminating the knowledge and lessons learned from accidental exposures is crucial in preventing re-occurrence. This is particularly important in radiation therapy; the only application of radiation in which very high radiation doses are deliberately given to patients to achieve cure or palliation of disease. This ICRP report is expected to be a valuable resource for radiation oncologists, hospital administrators, medical physicists, technologists, dosimetrists, maintenance engineers, radiation safety specialists, and regulators. While the report applies specifically to new external beam therapies, the general principles for prevention are applicable to the broad range of radiotherapy practices where mistakes could result in serious consequences for the patient and practitioner (ICRP News)

ICRP SYMPOSIUM ON THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION

The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), that issues recommendations on protection against ionizing radiation, will hold its first ICRP Symposium on the International System of Radiological Protection during October 24-26, 2011, at Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center North Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

With participation from North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, this symposium will be of interest to everyone in the field of radiological protection. Participants will learn not only about how the System operates, but also its ethical foundations, the logic behind it, and how it has been applied in practical situations.

The opening plenary session will provide useful information on the System of Radiological Protection, and insight into the ongoing work of ICRP in relation to other key organisations in radiological protection. Other sessions will cover topical issues such as: protection against radon in homes and workplaces; protection of medical patients; environmental protection; and radiological protection related to security screening. Presentations will be made by ICRP Main Commission and Committee members, senior members of other international organizations, and officials and industry representatives from around the world.

It is reported that this symposium is made possible in part through support from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the US Environmental Protection Agency. For details contact Christopher Clement, ICRP Scientific Secretary, at: sci.sec@icrp.org (IAEA News).

Cancer in Developing Countries

The 2010 IAEA Scientific Forum was devoted to cancer in developing countries. The IAEA could secure the participation of so many top cancer specialists, scientists and experts from all over the world, as well as distinguished representatives from government, the private sector and leading foundations.

During his first year in office, the Director General of the IAEA visited cancer treatment centres in a number of Member States. He admired very highly about the world-class being offered in many developing countries. Some countries like Korea have also donated funds to the IAEA’s Cancer Programme. Since 1980, the IAEA has delivered over $220 million worth of cancer-related assistance to developing countries. The IAEA´s expertise lies in radiotherapy, nuclear medicine, radiology and medical radiation physics. It is reported that the IAEA provide equipment and training, deliver know-how and technical support and help developing countries establish cancer control policies and centres.

He said that the cancer represents an imminent crisis for developing countries. Most new cancer cases and cancer deaths already occur in the developing world. Around 70 percent of cancers in developing countries are diagnosed too late for life-saving treatment. By 2030, over 13 million people worldwide will die from cancer every year. Almost 9 million of these deaths will be in developing countries. In many low-income countries, there is not a single radiation therapy machine. More than 80% of Africa´s one billion inhabitants still have no access to basic radiotherapy and related cancer services. Millions of people who could be successfully treated die every year.

The message at the forum was very clear: There is a great need work together, to share experiences, expertise and knowledge with each other and to pool resources to ensure that cancer patients in developing countries gain access to the best modern treatment and care (IAEA News).

Lung cancer risk from radon and progeny – ICRP Draft report for consultation

Subsequent to the publication of Statement on Radon, the ICRP has brought out a draft report on Lung Cancer Risk from Radon and Progeny. Now, both of these are on the ICRP site and the ICRP is seeking feedback on these. As reported, the last date for receiving comments is September 30, 2010.

The report reviews recent epidemiological studies of lung cancer risk linked to exposure to radon and its progeny. It concentrates on the results from pooled case-control studies of residential exposures and cohorts of underground miners exposed to low levels of radon and radon progeny. Consistent with the approach used in ICRP Publication 65 (1993), recent miner data are used to recommend a revised detriment-adjusted nominal risk coefficient of 5x10-4 per WLM replacing the ICRP Publication 65 value of 2.8x10-4 per WLM.

The pooled analyses of epidemiological studies of lung cancer risk from residential exposures demonstrate a statistically significant increase per unit of exposure below average annual concentrations of about 200 Bq per cubic meter.

For occupational protection purposes and for compliance with the dose limits and constraints, ICRP proposes to treat radon and radon progeny in the same way as other radionuclides and will publish dose coefficients calculated using dosimetric models for use within the ICRP system of protection.