H.
BTEC L3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE
Unit 21: Medical Physics Applications
Assignment 21C: Understand health and safety, associated risks,
side effects and limitations of ionising and non-ionising
instrumentation techniques in medical applications.
Introduction
In this assignment, the health and safety risks, side effects and limitations of
ionising and non-ionising technologies have been researched and discussed
thoroughly in a medical setting. Health and safety measures have been included
with reference to the HSE and relevant legislation.
A detailed comparison between ionising and non-ionising technologies has also
been included in this assignment.
To conclude this assignment, the consequences of poor health and safety when
using ionising and non-ionising technologies have been discussed along with the
prevention and safety measures to protect patients and employers.
Ionising technologies
X-rays
X-rays are a form of ionising technology that is used in medical settings and
utilises radiation that can pass through the body. They are used to image bones
for many diagnoses, e.g., fractures, by forming a clear 2D image of bones in the
body (1).
The use of this ionising technology poses health and safety risks that need to be
considered beforehand by both patients and employers. These risks include the
following:
- Can cause cancer
- Can cause acute erythema and dermatitis
- Can lead to genetic effects, e.g., congenital disabilities
X-rays are a highly penetrating form of radiation which can be harmful to the
human body, causing damage to cells (2). The damage to cells can lead to
cancer as X-rays have the potential to cause mutations in the DNA of cells (1).
The mutation of cells results in cancer as cells undergo rapid and uncontrollable
growth. This risk, however, is very small as there is less than a 1 in 1,000,000
chance of causing cancer (3). Another risk listed above is the risk of causing
acute erythema and dermatitis-erythema is a skin reaction resulting in the
redness of the skin and dermatitis is a skin condition where the skin is inflamed,
appearing as a rash (4). This risk can occur as the skin is exposed to X-ray
radiation- there are certain doses of radiation that result in this risk, so health
and safety measures in place can act to prevent this. In rare cases, genetic
effects can also arise from X-rays for pregnant women who undergo X-rays. The
fetus growing in the womb of a pregnant woman can possibly be born with a
congenital disability as it may be directly exposed to the X-ray beam (5). The use
of this ionising technology on pregnant women also has other risks: miscarriage,
physical deformity, central nervous system abnormality, etc (5). It is therefore
important for pregnant women to take the necessary precautions to protect their
unborn babies.
1
, H.
BTEC L3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE
Unit 21: Medical Physics Applications
Along with health and safety risks, there are short-term side effects of X-rays that
can occur: vomiting, bleeding, fainting, hair loss and diarrhoea. These side
effects have a very small risk especially if the dose of X-ray radiation is kept low.
In addition, there are also limitations to the use of X-ray technology as the 2D
images generated are not as detailed as images produced by other technologies,
e.g., MRI. This is a limitation as the diagnoses made may not be as accurate as
diagnoses made using an MRI. A different limitation is that as the bones absorb
the X-ray radiation, significant diagnostic data is blocked, decreasing the
accuracy of diagnoses. Another limitation is the high penetrating power of X-rays
as this has the potential to cause cancer in the body, posing a major limitation
for patients. Moreover, the effect X-rays have on unborn children is a limitation
as it can increase the risk of congenital disabilities, this in turn causes other
effects on the mother as miscarriages could occur. The more frequently X-rays
are performed, the higher the risk of cancer development for patients which is an
additional limitation of X-rays as the health of patients is affected.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is another form of ionising technology that uses gamma ray
radiation to treat cancerous tumours. It can be done internally (inside the body)
or externally (outside the body) by targeting the DNA of cancerous cells. The use
of radiotherapy as a treatment generally lasts between 1-7 weeks to effectively
remove cancerous tumours (7).
Radiotherapy has risks and side effects that have an effect on the health and
safety of patients and employers (8):
- Skin can become sore, changing colour
- Increased fatigue
- Hair loss can occur
- Eating and drinking issues, e.g., swallowing
- Diarrhoea
- Stiff muscles and joints in the affected area
- Sex and fertility issues
- Emotional issues, e.g., depression
- Damage to the lymphatic system
Radiotherapy can also damage healthy normal cells not just the cancer cells
which results in these risks and side effects (7). Soreness of the skin can occur
from the use of radiotherapy, usually following 1-2 weeks of treatment, causing it
to change colour (red/lighter/darker), become more sensitive, dry, itchy, and
blister and peel in some cases (8). Patients are advised on how to treat this, e.g.,
by using moisturiser and a high-factor sunscreen (8). Patients undergoing
radiotherapy also may experience increased fatigue as they lack the energy to
perform day-to-day activities- this can last for a few weeks after treatment (7). A
lack of energy can also mean that there may be low levels of red blood cells
(anaemia) that need to be treated separately (7). Hair loss may also be
experienced in the area that is being treated, usually 2-3 weeks after the start of
radiotherapy treatment (8). In some cases, this may be permanent if high doses
of radiotherapy are used otherwise it should grow back a couple of weeks after
the radiotherapy finishes (8). Moreover, eating and drinking issues may arise as
the mouth can become sore leading to discomfort when eating/drinking (8). Also,
2
BTEC L3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE
Unit 21: Medical Physics Applications
Assignment 21C: Understand health and safety, associated risks,
side effects and limitations of ionising and non-ionising
instrumentation techniques in medical applications.
Introduction
In this assignment, the health and safety risks, side effects and limitations of
ionising and non-ionising technologies have been researched and discussed
thoroughly in a medical setting. Health and safety measures have been included
with reference to the HSE and relevant legislation.
A detailed comparison between ionising and non-ionising technologies has also
been included in this assignment.
To conclude this assignment, the consequences of poor health and safety when
using ionising and non-ionising technologies have been discussed along with the
prevention and safety measures to protect patients and employers.
Ionising technologies
X-rays
X-rays are a form of ionising technology that is used in medical settings and
utilises radiation that can pass through the body. They are used to image bones
for many diagnoses, e.g., fractures, by forming a clear 2D image of bones in the
body (1).
The use of this ionising technology poses health and safety risks that need to be
considered beforehand by both patients and employers. These risks include the
following:
- Can cause cancer
- Can cause acute erythema and dermatitis
- Can lead to genetic effects, e.g., congenital disabilities
X-rays are a highly penetrating form of radiation which can be harmful to the
human body, causing damage to cells (2). The damage to cells can lead to
cancer as X-rays have the potential to cause mutations in the DNA of cells (1).
The mutation of cells results in cancer as cells undergo rapid and uncontrollable
growth. This risk, however, is very small as there is less than a 1 in 1,000,000
chance of causing cancer (3). Another risk listed above is the risk of causing
acute erythema and dermatitis-erythema is a skin reaction resulting in the
redness of the skin and dermatitis is a skin condition where the skin is inflamed,
appearing as a rash (4). This risk can occur as the skin is exposed to X-ray
radiation- there are certain doses of radiation that result in this risk, so health
and safety measures in place can act to prevent this. In rare cases, genetic
effects can also arise from X-rays for pregnant women who undergo X-rays. The
fetus growing in the womb of a pregnant woman can possibly be born with a
congenital disability as it may be directly exposed to the X-ray beam (5). The use
of this ionising technology on pregnant women also has other risks: miscarriage,
physical deformity, central nervous system abnormality, etc (5). It is therefore
important for pregnant women to take the necessary precautions to protect their
unborn babies.
1
, H.
BTEC L3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN APPLIED SCIENCE
Unit 21: Medical Physics Applications
Along with health and safety risks, there are short-term side effects of X-rays that
can occur: vomiting, bleeding, fainting, hair loss and diarrhoea. These side
effects have a very small risk especially if the dose of X-ray radiation is kept low.
In addition, there are also limitations to the use of X-ray technology as the 2D
images generated are not as detailed as images produced by other technologies,
e.g., MRI. This is a limitation as the diagnoses made may not be as accurate as
diagnoses made using an MRI. A different limitation is that as the bones absorb
the X-ray radiation, significant diagnostic data is blocked, decreasing the
accuracy of diagnoses. Another limitation is the high penetrating power of X-rays
as this has the potential to cause cancer in the body, posing a major limitation
for patients. Moreover, the effect X-rays have on unborn children is a limitation
as it can increase the risk of congenital disabilities, this in turn causes other
effects on the mother as miscarriages could occur. The more frequently X-rays
are performed, the higher the risk of cancer development for patients which is an
additional limitation of X-rays as the health of patients is affected.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is another form of ionising technology that uses gamma ray
radiation to treat cancerous tumours. It can be done internally (inside the body)
or externally (outside the body) by targeting the DNA of cancerous cells. The use
of radiotherapy as a treatment generally lasts between 1-7 weeks to effectively
remove cancerous tumours (7).
Radiotherapy has risks and side effects that have an effect on the health and
safety of patients and employers (8):
- Skin can become sore, changing colour
- Increased fatigue
- Hair loss can occur
- Eating and drinking issues, e.g., swallowing
- Diarrhoea
- Stiff muscles and joints in the affected area
- Sex and fertility issues
- Emotional issues, e.g., depression
- Damage to the lymphatic system
Radiotherapy can also damage healthy normal cells not just the cancer cells
which results in these risks and side effects (7). Soreness of the skin can occur
from the use of radiotherapy, usually following 1-2 weeks of treatment, causing it
to change colour (red/lighter/darker), become more sensitive, dry, itchy, and
blister and peel in some cases (8). Patients are advised on how to treat this, e.g.,
by using moisturiser and a high-factor sunscreen (8). Patients undergoing
radiotherapy also may experience increased fatigue as they lack the energy to
perform day-to-day activities- this can last for a few weeks after treatment (7). A
lack of energy can also mean that there may be low levels of red blood cells
(anaemia) that need to be treated separately (7). Hair loss may also be
experienced in the area that is being treated, usually 2-3 weeks after the start of
radiotherapy treatment (8). In some cases, this may be permanent if high doses
of radiotherapy are used otherwise it should grow back a couple of weeks after
the radiotherapy finishes (8). Moreover, eating and drinking issues may arise as
the mouth can become sore leading to discomfort when eating/drinking (8). Also,
2
