Radioprotection 2025, 60( 1), 57 – 64 © E. Saeedian et al., Published by EDP Sciences, 2025 https:// doi. org / 10.1051 / radiopro / 2024035
Available online at: www. radioprotection. org ARTICLE
Thermoluminescence dosimetry in small animal digital radiography, the dose to animals, and their adopters
E. Saeedian 1, M. Shakerian 1, A. Zarif Sanayei 1, Z. Rakeb 1, F. N. Alizadeh 2, S. Sarshough 3 and S. Sina *, 1, 2
1 Nuclear Engineering Department, School of Mechanical Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran. 2 Radiation Research Center, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran. 3 Faculty of Engineering, Jahrom University, Jahrom, Iran.
Received: 25 February 2024 / Accepted: 7 August 2024 Abstract – In veterinary radiology, the dose to radiation workers, animals, and the public should be reduced as low as reasonably achievable. Immobilization of the pets is necessary for obtaining images with acceptable image quality. The adopters are usually asked to immobilize their pets during the imaging. Therefore the dose equivalent values received by the animal adopters are also important. This study aims to assess the dose to the hands and whole body of the adopter and the entrance skin dose( ESD) to the animals undergoing radiographic imaging using LiF: Mg, Ti( TLD 100) for one month of work in a veterinary department in Shiraz. The results showed that the dose received by the animals varied from 0.20 mSv to 0.53 mSv. The average dose equivalent values to hands, Hp( 0.07), and body, Hp( 10) of adopters are 0.35, and 0.14 mSv Respectively.
Keywords: Radiation protection / thermoluminescence dosimetry / LiF: Mg / Ti / veterinary medicine / radiographic examination
1 Introduction
Digital radiology has brought many advantages, such as providing a quick and cost-effective method of obtaining diagnostic images for humans and animals. The modifications made over the last three decades in terms of hardware and software have made digital radiology, an essential diagnostic method for veterinary practitioners. It is becoming increasingly clear to professionals in the veterinary industry that there is a pressing need for clear guidelines and the establishment of best practices to ensure the radiological protection of veterinarians, their staff, and animal adopters. However, the push for this initiative has, so far, primarily focused on the protection of humans rather than the animals themselves, even though the number of veterinary facilities using radiation-based technology has risen significantly in recent years( Owens et al., 2019).
Despite the widespread use of X-ray machines in veterinary medicine, the workload and potential doses received by veterinarians, and their assistants are relatively low( Vatsa et al., 2022; Badawy and Anderson, 2023). Nowadays, there exists the vast majority of data and knowledge about the consequences of ionizing radiation, therefore the radiological protection of human beings has always been of great importance( Fardid et al., 2021; Dietze and Menzel, 1994).
* Corresponding author: Samirasina @ shirazu. ac. ir
Different imaging techniques are used in modern veterinary medicine, for animals of all shapes and sizes.
Based on the International Commission of Radiological Protection, publication 153, in veterinary imaging, the radiological protection of humans and animals should be considered in the radiological protection program( ICRP 153, 2022). Although imaging modalities provide valuable information, optimization, and radiation risk assessment should also be considered. Like human radiography, there are concerns about the number of repeated radiographs for individual animals. It is essential to increase the awareness of veterinary staff, about the radiation risk, and the optimization of the radiography procedures to reduce the dose to humans, and animals. Research conducted in the US found that most veterinary radiologists and staff believed that doses of ionizing radiation from CT scans did not increase the risk of potentially fatal cancer in the creatures( Gregorich et al., 2018). There is particular concern for breeding animals and those receiving multiple radiographs over their lifetimes, highlighting the importance of being mindful of the potential risks and taking appropriate measures( Gregorich et al., 2018; Lawrence et al., 2015; Hernández-Ruiz et al., 2012; Oh et al., 2018; An et al., 2019).
The immobilization of animals in diagnostic radiology is important for the acquisition of high-quality images. The animals are not capable of remaining still during the imaging, and someone should fix them on the imaging bed.
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