Control of Dose to the Embryo/fetus, Minors, and Students

DOE-STD-1121-98

8.1.3 Control of Dose to the Embryo/fetus, Minors, and Students

Administrative controls should be established to protect the embryo/fetus for declared pregnant

women. This is necessary because of uncertainties in:

distribution and retention of radioactive materials in the embryo/fetus

dosimetry to embryo/fetus

associated risk (Sikov et al. 1996).

Example 8.1 illustrates sample dose management practices for declared pregnant women.

Example 8.1. Dose Management Practices Regarding Internal Dosimetry

Associated with Embryo/Fetus Dose Control

If a female radiological worker is on a routine bioassay schedule and submits a declaration of

pregnancy, the appropriate bioassay is obtained from the female radiological worker as soon

after the declaration as possible. This bioassay serves two purposes:

If the declared pregnant worker will no longer be exposed to possible intakes during

the remainder of the gestation period, then this becomes an ending assignment

bioassay and is used to document the embryo/fetal internal dose (usually none) for

the period from conception to declaration.

Even if the declared pregnant worker continues her present work assignment, this

declaration bioassay is reviewed using the embryo/fetal derived reference level, and

serves either to show that no internal dose has been incurred to date or to document

what internal dose has been incurred for the period of conception to declaration. The

worker and her supervisor should have a good understanding of what dose has been

received during the gestation period up to the time of declaration in order to make

decisions about her work assignments for the remainder of the gestation period. The

information gained from the declaration bioassay gives everyone a more complete

dose status at the time of declaration. Finally, if the declared pregnant worker

continues work where intakes are possible, a new bioassay schedule may be

necessary for the remainder of the gestation period. At the very least, an attempt is

made to obtain a bioassay after the pregnancy is concluded or as soon as the declared

pregnant worker ceases work involving exposure. The gestation period is treated as

a time separate from the declared pregnant worker's normal bioassay monitoring

period.

Enhanced control of intake to minors and students should be exercised since the effective dose

equivalent limits for these individuals are the same as for the general public.