Answer to Question #101 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Q

Which radiation protection regulations pertain specifically to protection of the pregnant radiographer?

A

“Radiographer” has two different meanings for me so I have two different answers for you. If you are referring to a radiographer who works with x-ray machines (i.e. an x-ray Technologist), each state has it’s own radiation protection regulations pertaining to the pregnant radiographer. Some states have a regulation that says the registrant (owner of the x-ray machine) must keep the dose to the embryo/fetus from occupational exposure of a pregnant worker below 0.5 rem during gestation. Some states have not yet adopted this limit so their regulations state that the radiation worker’s exposure must be maintained below 5 rem/y or 1.25 rem/qtr. If you are referring to a radiographer who works with high activity sealed sources (usually ¹⁹²Ir or maybe ¹³⁷Cs), radiation protection regulations pertaining to the pregnant radiographer are from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Those regulations (10 CFR 20.1208) state that a licensee must ensure that the dose to the embryo/fetus from occupational exposure of a declared pregnant worker does not exceed 0.5 rem during gestation. A “declared” pregnant worker is someone who has told her Radiation Safety Office of the pregnancy. Kelly Classic Certified Medical Health Physicist