In the US, patients who have been administered Iodine 131 are free to leave hospital while they are still quite 'hot'. This policy of the NRC, which dates back to 1997, is now being brought into question. Read more about it in this New York Times article here.

ARAN Adelaide Day 4 photos

ARAN Adelaide Day 3 photos

ARAN Adelaide Day 2 photos

ARAN Adelaide Day 1 photos

The New York Times has another article about poor radiation safety in medicine, and this time CT scanners are on their radar.

Its no wonder, given the amount of radiation these people must have had for hair loss to occur...

You can read the full article by clicking here.

Further to the story regarding the Co60 source turning up in a scrap metal yard in India, one of 7 people hospitalised due to radiation exposure has now died.

Further details appear in this New York Times article available here.

Hi all

It appears that the lessons learned from Brazil and Mexico have been forgotten. India is currently dealing with a Co-60 source in a scrap metal yard, with a number of people suffering deterministic effects.

link to the Times of India

We can expect more of those radioactive door handles to start appearing again very soon.

UPDATED: A pdf version of Dr Mitchel's presentation has been attached

Dr Ron Mitchell, Researcher Emeritus at AECL, will discuss his work and thoughts on the effects of low doses of radiation as part of ANSTO's Distinguished Lecture Series.

Further information is available at http://www.ansto.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/46162/ronmitchel.pdf

The US FDA has launched an initiative to reduce radiation exposures resulting from medical examinations. The 3 steps to achieving this goal are to:

1. Promote safe use of medical imaging devices;
2. Support informed clinical decision making; and
3. Increase patient awareness.

You can read more about it at:

http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationSafety/RadiationDoseReduction/ucm199994.htm