Date: 1979

Location: Freiberg, GDR (East Germany)

Type of event: accidental x-ray exposure

Description:

Careless use of an x-ray fluorescence unit caused overexposure to one individual, including a 1,000 to 3,000 rad dose to the right hand and a whole-body dose of 20 to 50 rad. The individual received second and third degree radiation burns.

Consequences: 1 injury.

References:

• UNSCEAR, 2000, "Annex E: Occupational radiation exposures," in Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation: United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation UNSCEAR 2000 Report to the General Assembly, with Scientific Annexes, Volume I: Sources, UNSCEAR, on line at UNSCEAR [http://www.unscear.org/docs/reports/annexe.pdf].

© 2004, 2006 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 11 June 2006.
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