Citation

Barriga LE, Zaharia M, Pinillos L, Moscol A, Heredia A, Sarria G, Marquina J, Barriga O, Picon C. Radiat. Prot. Dosimetry 2012; 151(4): 652-655.

Affiliation

Centro de Radioterapia de Lima, Calle 22 No 202, Urb. Corpac, San Borja, Lima, Perú

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/rpd/ncs175

PMID

22914334

Abstract

Overexposure to radioactive sources used in radiotherapy or industrial radiography may result in severe health consequences. This report assesses the initial clinical status and the medical and psychological long-term follow-up of two radiation accident patients from Peru during the mid-to-late 1990s: one patient exposed to a radiotherapy (60)Co source in Arequipa, the other patient to a (192)Ir source in Yanango. Commonalities and differences are described. The main causes in both accidents were human error and the failure to apply appropriate safety guidelines and standard operating procedures. Education and training of the personnel working with radiation sources are essential to prevent accidents. The experience gained from the medical management of the two patients is valuable for future treatment of such patients.

Language: en