Early Signs and Symptoms of Accidental Exposure to X-Rays

DOE-HDBK-1109-97

Radiological Safety Training for Radiation-Producing (X-Ray) Devices

Student's Guide

are not replaced. Lack of a fully viable basal layer of cells means that X-ray burns are

slow to heal, and in some cases may never heal. Frequently, such burns require skin

grafts. In some cases, severe X-ray burns have resulted in gangrene and amputation.

An important variable is the energy of the radiation because this determines the depth of

penetration in a given material. Heat radiation is infrared, typically 1 eV; sunburn is

caused by ultraviolet rays, typically 4 eV; and X-rays are typically 10 - 100 keV, which

are capable of penetrating to the depth of the basal layer of the skin.

iii. Early Signs and Symptoms of Accidental Exposure to X-Rays.

Note: the doses discussed in this section are localized shallow skin doses and/or localized

doses, but not whole body doses. Whole body deep doses of this magnitude would likely

be fatal. Accidental exposures from RPDs are generally localized to a small part of the

body.

~600 rad. An acute dose of about 600 rad to a part of the body causes a radiation burn

equivalent to a first-degree thermal burn or mild sunburn. Typically there is no immediate

pain that would cause the participants to pull away, but a sensation of warmth or itching

occurs within a few hours after exposure. An initial reddening or inflammation of the

affected area usually appears several hours after exposure and fades after a few more

hours or days. The reddening may reappear as late as two to three weeks after the

exposure. A dry scaling or peeling of the irradiated portion of the skin is likely to follow.

If the participants have been working with or around an X-ray device and the participants

notice an unexplained reddening of the skin, notify the supervisor and the Occupational

Medicine Group. Aside from avoiding further injury and guarding against infection,

further medical treatment will probably not be required and recovery should be fairly

complete.

An acute dose of 600 rad delivered to the lens of the eye causes a cataract to begin to

form.