2. While testing an x-ray machine, you are standing 3 feet away from the x-ray t

Question

2. While testing an x-ray machine, you are standing 3 feet away from the x-ray table. You are wearing a 0.5 mm lead apron. A nurse walks into the room and is standing 12 feet away when you make a single x-ray exposure. She becomes upset because she was not wearing a lead apron and thinks her safety is at risk. Assume the radiation source can be approximated as a point source. Was her estimated radiation dose greater than yours, less than yours, or similar to yours? a. b. Imagine how you might react in this situation. What would you say to her? Compose a short statement (something you could explain in under 30 seconds) that educates her about relevant concepts while remaining diplomatic and respectful of her concerns

Explanation / Answer

The radiation from x-rays are intense at an harmful level when the person is within 6 to 7 feet range from the point source when more than 150keV (safety limit) of energy is used by the x-ray machine. The maximum exposure of x-ray radiation an adult can be exposed in an year is about 300 to 400 millirems.

Lead totally blocks the exposure of radiation because of its high density molecular arrangement and hence xrays doesn't pass through the material. Hence lead is been used in aprons for human safety in the x-ray facilities.

In this case the person wears an lead apron which is 0,5mm thick, which is standard enough to block the xrays from a closer point source with an intensity of xrays produced within the limits (i.e. 150 keV) set in hospitals. Hence the person wearing the apron will not be exposed to the radiation.

Answering Part A, it is given that the nurse is 12 feet away from the source point. She is clearly on the safer side when it comes to the distance she stands. As said early, the intensity is high only till 6 to 7 feet and then it exponentially decreases. The intensity of the radiation is always inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the souce.

The relation between the intensity of the radiation (I) and the distance (d) can be given as

I=1/d2

This clearly means that the intensity drastically decreases with distance since the xrays scatters. The nurse is much more on the safer distance and hence recieves only a neglectable feeble value of dosage. Hence it can be said that both the person (in the apron) and the nurse recieves the same amount of radiation, that is zero.

Answering Part B, the person or the doctor should keep the nurse calm and composed. The person could educate the nurse by letting her know the limitations of the exposure of xrays. The safety distance of atleast 7 feet is to be kept to stay away from the radiation. A lead apron with atleast 0.5mm of thickness would always be handy and safer while dealing with the patients or operating on the x-ray table. The nurse was almost twice the distance (12 feet) away from the x-ray point source which is absolutely safe and she should have nothing to worry about. :)

I believe that the explaination was clear and crisp enough. Feel free to comment and ask further more on the topic. :)

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