Report of Task Group on the implications of the implementation of the ICRP recommendations for a revised dose limit to the lens of the eye

Abstract

This report was commissioned by the IRPA President to provide an assessment of the impact on members of IRPA Associate Societies of the introduction of ICRP recommendations for a reduced dose limit for the lens of the eye. The report summarises current practice and considers possible changes that may be required. Recommendations for further collaboration, clarification and changes to working practices are suggested.

Occupational Radiation Exposure During Endovascular Aortic Repair

“…However, deterministic effects, especially radiation-induced posterior subcapsular cataracts, are considerable [14]. This is reflected by the recent recommendation of the International Commission on Radiological Protection to reduce the equivalent dose limit for eye lenses from 150 to 20 mSv/ year [15]. As distances from irradiated patient's body part to the staff member's breast and eye lenses are comparable, the measured over-lead doses can be taken as approximation of the staff member's procedural eye lens dose [16].…”

Occupational radiation dose to eyes from interventional radiology procedures in light of the new eye lens dose limit from the International Commission on Radiological Protection

“…[38][39][40] This is an area that requires further investigation. 20 As such, until protection factors can be accurately verified for lead glasses in clinical use, we have taken the approach that measurements over lead glasses are repeatable and reliable in terms of positioning, they are unobtrusive and certainly the lens dose below the glasses will be much lower. One radiologist in our study did not wear lead glasses and recorded an estimated annual dose to his left eye of 30.9 mSv.…”

“…This is likely to persist, making it difficult to use current routine monitoring to obtain baseline data on eye doses in advance of the new ICRP limit being adopted into legislation and to assess compliance with the limit once it is introduced. It is important for compliance with any radiation dose monitoring method to make wearing conditions as comfortable as possible 20 and for clear instructions about positioning to be provided.…”

“…18 Since this statement was released, awareness in the scientific literature has grown at a rapid pace and the need for improved eye lens dosimetry has been acknowledged. 19,20 Although the rationale for reduction in the eye lens limit has been debated in the literature, [19][20][21][22][23] the limit is now on a firm footing within Europe as it has been adopted into the new European Union (EU) basic safety standards directive. 24 The directive must be transposed into national legislation by EU member states within a period of 4 years.…”

The lens of the eye: exposures in the UK medical sector and mechanistic studies of radiation effects

“…ICRP's recommendation of a reduced dose limit for the lens of the eye has caused considerable concern in some occupational areas, particularly interventional radiology and cardiology, where compliance with a new dose limit may be difficult and may require modifications to working practices (Englefield, 2011;Martin, 2011;Broughton et al, 2013).…”