HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE MEDICAL USE OF IONISING AND NON-IONISING RADIATION
TECHNOLOGIES (Re-resub)
X-rays (ionising)
Health and safety risks
Being exposed to x-rays can cause cancer many years later by elevated levels of radiation, but the
risk is small. For example, an x-ray of your chest is equivalent to a few days' worth of background
radiation. Radiation from x-rays can cause a rare effect on body tissues such as cataracts and skin
reddening. Exposure to radiation can cause long term effects (lung cancer). Pregnant women are
advised to avoid unnecessary exposure to x-rays as it can lead to birth defects. Lead aprons and
shields are used to protect parts of the body not being imaged. It can reduce the effect of 90% of the
scatter radiation. X-ray examinations should only be performed when the benefits outweigh the risks
of using the x-ray so there is an unlikely chance of the patient developing side effects. The ionising
radiation regulations 2017 (IRR17) was set by the HSE to instruct employers to keep exposure to
ionising radiation as low as possible and must not exceed specified dose limits.
Side effects
Too much exposure to x-rays can lead to
‘radiation sickness’ which has symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, bleeding fainting
and loss of skin and hair. Exposure to high radiation levels can cause hair loss. During imaging exams,
x-ray contrast agents are utilised to enhance the image quality of x-ray which can be effective to
assess the internal organs. The ionising radiation from x-rays acts upon germ cells which can damage
the genetic material in reproductive cells resulting in mutations that are transmitted to generation to
generation. However, it is rare as the radiation dose/exposure used is low.
LIMITATIONS:
Many bones and joint disorders, including tuberculosis and arthritis, cannot be diagnosed with x-
rays. Using fluoroscopy to perform complex interventional procedures needs prolonged exposure
times and high radiation doses which can increase the likelihood of cancer. The flesh is transparent
so x-rays cannot see through specific structures like the pancreas behind the stomach.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) (non-ionising)
HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS:
The magnetic field of an MRI can cause ferromagnetic metal objects to go airborne, putting
employees and patients at risk. While there is no ionising radiation, there are health and safety
concerns related to the procedure. The radiofrequency used during the MRI scan can heat up the
body and produce currents in wires close to the body leading to skin burns. Radiographers suggest
that patients with medical devices implanted in themselves should avoid MRIs (Magnetic Resonance
Imaging). This is because the magnetic field can affect the implants and twist or move it inside the
body, causing pain and injuries. There are potential hazards when dealing with large magnetic fields
such as metal fragments in eye, aneurism clips and flying objects. The magnetic fields that change
with time produces loud noises which may harm hearing if ear protection is not used. Patients are
instructed to change into MRI safe clothing (hospital attire) as some clothing has metallic material
such as buttons. Patients should be asked detailed questions about their surgery history so
radiographers can confirm that they can undergo an MRI. Patients must bring in medical implant
cards so they can understand the MRI and report any events related to their implanted medical
device.
SIDE EFFECTS:
TECHNOLOGIES (Re-resub)
X-rays (ionising)
Health and safety risks
Being exposed to x-rays can cause cancer many years later by elevated levels of radiation, but the
risk is small. For example, an x-ray of your chest is equivalent to a few days' worth of background
radiation. Radiation from x-rays can cause a rare effect on body tissues such as cataracts and skin
reddening. Exposure to radiation can cause long term effects (lung cancer). Pregnant women are
advised to avoid unnecessary exposure to x-rays as it can lead to birth defects. Lead aprons and
shields are used to protect parts of the body not being imaged. It can reduce the effect of 90% of the
scatter radiation. X-ray examinations should only be performed when the benefits outweigh the risks
of using the x-ray so there is an unlikely chance of the patient developing side effects. The ionising
radiation regulations 2017 (IRR17) was set by the HSE to instruct employers to keep exposure to
ionising radiation as low as possible and must not exceed specified dose limits.
Side effects
Too much exposure to x-rays can lead to
‘radiation sickness’ which has symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, bleeding fainting
and loss of skin and hair. Exposure to high radiation levels can cause hair loss. During imaging exams,
x-ray contrast agents are utilised to enhance the image quality of x-ray which can be effective to
assess the internal organs. The ionising radiation from x-rays acts upon germ cells which can damage
the genetic material in reproductive cells resulting in mutations that are transmitted to generation to
generation. However, it is rare as the radiation dose/exposure used is low.
LIMITATIONS:
Many bones and joint disorders, including tuberculosis and arthritis, cannot be diagnosed with x-
rays. Using fluoroscopy to perform complex interventional procedures needs prolonged exposure
times and high radiation doses which can increase the likelihood of cancer. The flesh is transparent
so x-rays cannot see through specific structures like the pancreas behind the stomach.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) (non-ionising)
HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS:
The magnetic field of an MRI can cause ferromagnetic metal objects to go airborne, putting
employees and patients at risk. While there is no ionising radiation, there are health and safety
concerns related to the procedure. The radiofrequency used during the MRI scan can heat up the
body and produce currents in wires close to the body leading to skin burns. Radiographers suggest
that patients with medical devices implanted in themselves should avoid MRIs (Magnetic Resonance
Imaging). This is because the magnetic field can affect the implants and twist or move it inside the
body, causing pain and injuries. There are potential hazards when dealing with large magnetic fields
such as metal fragments in eye, aneurism clips and flying objects. The magnetic fields that change
with time produces loud noises which may harm hearing if ear protection is not used. Patients are
instructed to change into MRI safe clothing (hospital attire) as some clothing has metallic material
such as buttons. Patients should be asked detailed questions about their surgery history so
radiographers can confirm that they can undergo an MRI. Patients must bring in medical implant
cards so they can understand the MRI and report any events related to their implanted medical
device.
SIDE EFFECTS:
