Professional paper
https://doi.org/10.31306/s.63.1.6
Disposal of radioactive waste after medical diagnostic and therapy
Dean Smojver
; Zavod za hitnu medicinu Koprivničko-križevačke županije, Koprivnica, Hrvatska
Ksenija Vitale
; Medicinski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, ŠNZ "A. Štampar", Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
Absorption of ionizing radiation in the organism causes ionization or excitation of molecules. Energy released by ionization leads to chemical changes, during which the free radicals are created, which can cause irreversible damage to molecules that are essential for biological functioning of a cell. This is how biochemical (metabolic) changes are made, result of which can be physiological or morphological damage and/or mutation of a cell that primarily influence the core, but also other cell parts. Cell damage manifests itself by slowing of the cell division, cell decay and transformation into malignant cells.
Different diagnostic methods that are applied in medicine like X-ray (RTG), computerized tomography (CT) and scintigraphy, along with everything positive, also have negative effects on human health. Positive effects are manifested by accurate diagnostic which is necessary for treating many illnesses, while negative are that people who are exposed to these (and some other) diagnostic methods in the same time exposed to a certain amount of radiation which is emitted by their appliance and which can lead to cancer. The mentioned diagnostic methods generate radioactive medical waste that, as such, is very dangerous and has to be adequately disposed of in special warehouse, to ensure the safety of people environment from the radiation.
The goals of disposal of radioactive waste have to be clearly defined, legislative frame ensured, responsibility of institutions in charge and financial funds allocated, as well as an adequate number of people engaged in fulfilling the mentioned task.
Keywords
diagnostic methods, ionizing radiation, medical waste, radioactive waste
Hrčak ID:
255550
URI
Publication date:
12.4.2021.
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