This work suggests a classification of interventional radiology and cardiology proceduresbased on statistical analysis of operators’ finger doses measured in routine clinicalconditions. In total, 346 finger doses were measured and the observed mean finger dose perclass of procedure ranged from 0.03 mSv to 1.56 mSv for Cerebral, and Bone and Jointprocedures, respectively. The statistical analysis showed that the finger dose in Cerebralprocedures is significantly lower than in Cardiac procedures, which was significantlylower than the rest. Furthermore, finger doses in therapeutic procedures and in close oneswere significantly greater than in diagnostic procedures and in distal ones. This workalso studied the statistical relation between the use of ceiling-suspended shields orleaded gloves and the extremity dose. From the set of collected and analyzed data, afinger dose classification was proposed for different criteria: procedure type(diagnostics/therapeutic), proximity (close/distal), procedure class and access route.

The aim of this study is to provide data that increase knowledge about the possible health effects of exposure to 90Sr contaminant in drinking water. 90Sr detection in the mouse bone model plays an important complementary role with computational dosimetry in these investigations. S-value (absorbed dose per unit cumulated activity) calculations using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations, 90Sr detection by liquid scintillation β counting in the femur bone and X-ray microanalysis were carried out. The present work is focused on using MCNPX and its validation at a cellular level. The cytoplasm (Cy), nucleus (N) and 90Sr radiation source were simulated with the MC code MCNPX. Cells are assumed to be spherical, with the radii of the cell and cell nucleus ranging from 2 to 10 μm. The S-value (in Gy/Bq.s) calculations were provided for a 90Sr source distributed uniformly in the cell nucleus or cytoplasm and for two source-target combinations (t←s). A comparison between the calculated MC results and the MIRD values agreed very well since the relative deviations are less than 4%. The earliest results of X-ray microanalysis indicated that the 90Sr was below the detection limit (<0.1%) in the bone tissue. However, the measurements by liquid scintillation showed the presence of 90Sr in the femur bone.

The Monte Carlo MCNPX code is used to calculate the scatter fraction, making it possible to assess the scattered dose equivalent rate. Two materials are considered for the phantom: water and steel. The calculations are performed by considering beams of monoenergetic photons (in the range 10 keV to 10 MeV) and bremsstrahlung photons resulting from the interaction of electrons (30–900 keV) on a tungsten target. The variation of the scatter fraction is investigated as a function of the primary photon energy, the beam area at the phantom surface, the scattering angle, and filtration of the bremsstrahlung radiation. We note the shortcomings of the ISO standard issued in 2011, which does not take into account the beam area at the phantom surface, the scattering angle or the scattering materials, thus producing inconsistencies with the computed values given in this study and in the literature. Our values for the scatter fraction are comparable with those given in the literature (e.g. NCRP). As regards the bremsstrahlung radiation, we note the influence of filtration, in particular at low energies. The scatter fractions given here are compatible with the calculation of the ambient dose equivalent, whereas in the literature, they are systematically used for the calculation of air kerma rates. We also obtain scatter fractions for water that are higher by a factor of 5 compared with steel.

We calculated mass attenuation coefficients, effective atomic numbers and Kerma relative to air for human organ and tissue substitutes (i.e.wax, plastic and polymer materials). The effective atomic numbers of the tissue substitutes were calculated by the direct method, interpolation method, Auto-Zeff software and single value XMuDat program and then compared. The calculated effective atomic numbers were also compared with available experimental data and a good agreement was observed. A large difference in effective atomic numbers calculated by the direct and interpolation methods was observed in photoelectric and pair-production regions. The direct method was found to be appropriate for effective atomic number computation in low-(>10 keV) and medium-(0.1 ≤ E ≤ 10 MeV) photon energy regions. Kerma relative to air of the selected tissue substitutes was found to be dependent upon the atomic number and element compositions, which show a sharp peak due to K-edge absorption.

Une étude radioécologique a été menée sur les canaux rhodaniens du réseau hydraulique régional propriété de la région Languedoc Roussillon, gérés par BRL. Ces canaux transfèrent de l’eau du fleuve Rhône vers les territoires des départements du Gard et de l’Hérault à des fins d’irrigation et de production d’eau potable. Nos résultats montrent que les caractéristiques hydrauliques intrinsèques des canaux de transport d’eau influent sur la distribution solide/solution des éléments traces en transit et par conséquent sur leur transfert vers les milieux récepteurs. Si les concentrations en phase dissoute (eau filtrée) sont conservées, les concentrations en phase particulaire (matières en suspension et sédiments) sont significativement modifiées au cours du transit. Outre la ségrégation granulométrique des particules entre l’amont et l’aval du système, ces résultats sont très probablement liés à la production biologique autochtone (phyto et zooplancton). Ces résultats originaux soulignent le caractère atypique des canaux de transport d’eau quant au transfert des éléments potentiellement contaminants.

Un cas exceptionnel de radiothérapie peropératoire intracardiaque a nécessité l’organisation de ce traitement administrativement, mais aussi en terme de radioprotection. En effet, le traitement devait être effectué dans un établissement non prévu pour des irradiations. Nous avons donc dû préparer, informer, simuler avant la réalisation. Avec l’énergie des photons de 50 kVp et les précautions prises il n’y a eu aucune incidence sur le personnel et l’environnement. Ce cas montre qu’il est possible d’envisager une externalisation de la radiothérapie peropératoire sous réserve des procédures d’autorisation et des mesures de radioprotection.

Des résultats de mesures de tritium libre et organiquement lié ont été acquis de 2007 à 2012, en France métropolitaine, pour des échantillons de végétaux et de denrées prélevés en milieu terrestre, hors de l’influence potentielle d’un rejet. Le bruit de fond, déduit de ces données, n’évolue pas significativement; il est en moyenne de 1,4 ± 1,2 Bq/L pour le tritium libre et pour le tritium organiquement lié.

This paper presents a comprehensive survey of the tritium content of “reference waters”in real working conditions by French laboratories involved in environmental monitoring.Reference waters are virtually tritium-free waters used to determine blanks for theanalytical system and to check for any contamination. It is therefore crucial to be sureof the low tritium content of these waters as this can limit the sensitivity and accuracyof the measurements. Water from the commercial brand “Abatilles” is widely used in Frenchlaboratories and nine samples were analyzed in this study. Three samples from other deepaquifers were also included. The results all range from 0.004 ± 0.004 Bq/kg to 0.175 ± 0.011 Bq/kg, well below the 0.5Bq/kg advised by the French Safety Authority. The spread of the results can mainly beattributed to contamination through plastic during bottle storage. As expected, twosamples from demineralized tap water showed higher tritium activities (0.3–0.35 Bq/kg).Both waters are suitable as reference water for routine monitoring (DL of about 10 Bq/kg)but should be used with caution for activities in the Bq/kg range.