Date: unknown, between 1977 and 1991

Location: United Kingdom

Type of event: industrial radiography accident

Description:

An industrial radiographer died of leukemia in 1992 associated to prolonged chronic exposure to sources with which he worked. Acute exposures are unknown, but total estimated whole body dose over a several year period was 1,400 rad. The exact nature of the accidental exposures are not known but apparently occurred over a period of 10-14 years. The individual worked with torch-type iridium-192 sources from 1974 to 1983 and with remotely operated wind-out iridium-192 source from 1983 and thereafter. From about 1983 for six years the man suffered radiation-induced skin lesions on the hands, requiring amputation of part of two fingers around 1990.

Consequences: 1 death from chronic exposure.

References:

• Ikeya, M., H. Sumitomo, C. Yamanaka, D. C. Lloyd, and A. A. Edwards, 1996, "ESR dosimetry of a deceased radiation worker," Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 47:1341-1344.
• 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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