Simulation study on radiation exposure of emergency medical responders from radioactively contaminated patients

Emergency medical responders (EMRs) who treat victims during a radiation emergency are at risk of radiation exposure. In this study, the exposure dose to EMRs treating hypothetically contaminated patients was estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation, and the findings may be useful for educating EMRs and reducing their anxiety. The Monte Carlo simulation estimated radiation doses for adult computational phantoms based on radioactive contamination conditions and radiation dosages from previous studies. At contamination conditions below the typical upper limit of general Geiger–Müller survey meters, the radiation doses to EMRs were estimated to be less than 1 μSv per hour. In cases with greater contamination due to mishandling of an intense radioactive source (hundreds of GBq), the radiation doses to EMRs could reach approximately 100 mSv per hour. These results imply that a radiological accident with a highly radioactive source could expose EMR to significant radiation that exceeds their dose limit. Thus, authorities and other parties should ensure that EMRs receive appropriate education and training regarding measures that can be taken to protect themselves from the possibility of excessive radiation exposure. The results of this study may provide EMRs with information to take appropriate protective measures, although it is also important that they not hesitate to perform lifesaving measures because of concerns regarding radiation.