Scattering ray exposure of personnel during veterinary X-ray examinations with the C-bow-technique

The study was designed to determine the exposure of personnel towards Xray irradiation during veterinary radiographc examination with the C-bow X-ray unit. Animals were divided into three groups by weight, 3, 10 and 30 kg, an d the thorax, abdomen and extremities were x-rayed. The irradiation of the hands, neck and genitals of the examining veterinarian, protected and unpro tected by a 0.35 mm lead apron, was determined using a portable dosimeter. Each measurement was repeated ten times and a total of 360 measurements wer e recorded. The actual exposure times of the C-bow X-ray examinations was a lso recorded. The estimated irradiation doses were compared with the legal limits permitted in Germany. In the case of exposure to hands, it was estim ated that the legal limit of 500 mSvlyear will be exceeded when exposed to X-rays for about 16 hours per month provided that protection is used. For t he neck and eye area, the legal limit of 150 mSv is likely to be reached af ter 8 hours per month. For the genital area, protected by a 0.35 mm lead ap ron, there is no danger of exceeding the legal value. Without protection, w hich is a legal requirement, the legal value of 50 mSvlyear would be exceed ed after 4 hours per month. Reference values, for example for the maximum n umber of examinations of the abdominal area per month, are not possible bec ause the examination times vary widely.