Radiation and the Pregnant Worker
Volume 7
Length 22:00
Under the regulation effective January 1, 1994, (10 CFR Part 20.1208) the dose to an embryo/fetus during the entire pregnancy, due to occupational exposure of a declared pregnant woman, does not exceed 0.5 rem (5 mSv). Because the monitoring requirements are 10% of this, any occupational worker who might receive more than 50 mrem (0.5 mSv) annually must be monitored (film badged) if that person becomes pregnant so that the fetal dose can be recorded. Further, the worker must declare her pregnancy to her supervisor before the institution is responsible for the additional protection of the fetus. Because each worker must understand her requirements and the potential hazards to her fetus, she must be instructed concerning the fetal hazard, her responsibility to her fetus and pertinent radiation safety issues. This instruction must be provided to working females who would fall under the monitoring requirement at employment and annually thereafter. In order to assist employers in this training we have produced this unique and informative video.
The importance of radiation protection for the pregnant worker may be belied by the causal atmosphere in which much of the information is presented. We have found this topic to be very worrisome to many people; to cause them undo anxiety and stress. Such anxiety can prevent a clear consideration of the issues involved with prenatal exposure to ionizing radiation. This anxiety can also prevent effective communication of the pertinent information between individuals. In order to reduce these difficulties we have chosen a casual atmosphere in which to present the necessary information; an atmosphere where people usually feel most relaxed and at ease, their homes.
The viewer is therefore invited into Joni's house as she, and her close friend Barb, have coffee. During their conversation Barb clearly explains what steps Joni should take to protect herself and her baby from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. Barb discusses why certain procedures are in effect, the reasons for regulations and the new regulations that must now be enforced. In order to explain the necessity for these regulations, Barb briefly discusses the stages through which a pregnancy progresses, the types of exposure (both internal and external) a fetus may encounter, how the radiation dose is determined, and the effect of exposure to ionizing radiation on the fetus during each stage of the pregnancy. Barb also mentions little practices Joni should adopt to help ensure she maintains her radiation dose as low as reasonable achievable (ALARA). Finally, or perhaps we should say "first", Barb presents Joni with a copy of "The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Regulatory Guide 8.13: Instruction Concerning Prenatal Radiation Exposure". This is an invaluable source that pregnant workers, and those who will be working with them, should read. In fact, all institutions should require any employed female of reproductive age who might receive 50 mrem (0.5 mSv) of occupational exposure in a year to read this guide. She should also state that she understands the information and that she understands her responsibility to inform her supervisor of her pregnancy as soon as possible. This declaration of pregnancy must be submitted in writing along with the approximate date of conception. In order to fulfill their obligation to women of child bearing age, the institution must define the populations of workers who may receive in the course a year, 50 mrem (0.5 mSv). These workers must then be instructed at employment and annually thereafter with the information contained in the regulatory guide and of their obligation to declare their pregnancy. It was because of these additional requirements, that this video was produced.
In order to assist you we have reproduced the NRC Regulatory Guide 8.13 along with the current draft of the rewrite of this guide. We have also included the conclusions of a recently released National Council on Radiation Protection Commentary 9 which provides a concise summary. You will also find a test, answer guide, and answer sheets to provide a record to the facility that those who watched the video understood the information presented.
For more information about this video please do not hesitate to call us at 1-800-753-4DTC.
