Dosimetria ocupacional de médicos veterinários do Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia durante a contenção de animais para a realização de exames radiográficos

Abstract

Occupational exposure to ionizing radiation is a potential risk for veterinarians since they are in most cases responsible for immobilizing and positioning patients. Thus, these professionals are Occupationally Exposed Individuals (OEIs), and it is important to quantify their exposure to ionizing radiation to optimize radiological protection. The objective of the present work is to measure the radiation doses to the veterinarians at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Uberlândia (HOVET-UFU), since the manual restraint of animals in all examinations performed is very common in Brazil. Moreover, the analysis of the impact against the new legislation, which establish that, according to the RDC 611/2022, every IOE must use the individual dosimeter during their workday and while in a controlled area. Twenty four (24) veterinary residents from HOVET-UFU were invited to monitor the dose received from ionizing radiation, through dosimeters to be fixed on the thorax, over the professionals' plumbiferous apron. The results of the passive dosimetry showed null doses for 21 of the 24 participating residents. The three residents who worked with large animals showed doses equivalent to 0.1 mSv, 0.5 mSv and 1.1 mSv over a 5-month period. These values are below the limits established by CNEN. It is believed that the rotation of individuals in the containment of small animals was what contributed to all the residents presenting a null dose, although the largest casuistry was in this species. Furthermore, as this is a new practice at the HOVET UFU, we may not guarantee thar all residents used dosimeters during the procedures. The active dosimetry led to the discussion about the importance of PPE so that the exposure to scattered radiation is the minimum possible, thus respecting the radioprotection protocols proposed by the legislation to the veterinarian.