Date: 1982

Location: La Plata, Argentina

Type of event: radiotherapy accident

Description:

An operator was injured by radiation from an x-ray therapy unit. The individual looked through a window while changing the x-ray tubes, not realizing the system was on. The operator received a whole-body dose of 12 rad and a dose of 580 rad to the lens of both eyes, resulting in cataracts in both eyes.

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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