An overview of radiation safety regulatory recommendations and requirements

This article reviews the formal basis of radiation protection programs, It also reviews the application of these programs in the cardiac catheterizati on laboratory, Radiation protection rules are based on epidemiology, radiob iology, and radiation physics, Applicable scientific results are periodical ly reviewed by committees reporting to the United States National Academy o f Science and to the United Nations, National and international expert comm ittees convert science to recommendations. The legislative process enacts e nforceable regulations, These regulations need to be interpreted in relatio n to the actual risks experienced by the fluoroscopist. Cathet, Cardiovasc, Intervent 47:469-474, 1999, (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.