Dear John,
I gave a presentation on Medical Implications of the Artificial Optical Radiation Directive at NPL last summer.
My conclusions were
For high risk sources, the Directive should not impact significantly in the medical sector.
(because most hospitals have policies to deal with these sources)
For low risk sources, hospitals will need to demonstrate compliance with the Directive.
(in other words more paper work)
Regards
Harry
>>> John OHagan <[log in to unmask]> 01/02/2008 22:19 >>>
Matt
Thank you for this information. We are building up quite a list. Of course, the main question is - are the exposure limits likely to be exceeded by workers?
John
----
John O'Hagan
Health Protection Agency
Williamson Matt <[log in to unmask]> wrote: John
You should add:
transilluminators used in pathology labs. They are "light" boxes that
are fitted with fluorescent tubes that emit at 360nm or 310nm. They
choose which depending on what type of fluorescent labels they have
attached to tissues and wish to stimulate.
blue light bilirubin sources to treat jaundiced neonates.
Matt Williamson
Laser Protection
Medical Physics & Engineering
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Leeds General Infirmary
Tel 01924 212900
mob 07768 987956
[log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: British Medical Laser Association [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Taylor David (Clinical Scientist GRH)
Sent: 28 January 2008 11:18
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Non-binding Guide to the Artificial Optical Radiation
Directive
John,
Thank you for this advance notice.
At the risk of repeating stuff that you are perfectly well aware of, I
summarise here the optical sources that we have in mind in a largish
district general hospital, some of which may not appear in other
workplaces, so you can add them to the list, in case:
In general, we have no electric arc sources within the NHS (except when
building work is going on, which is virtually all the time) but that is
the responsibility of the contractors involved, not the NHS Trust.
We have several high intensity visible optical radiation sources,
incandescent, fluorescent, LED and arc-discharge sources, most of which
have engineering controls around them to limit skin and eye exposure. I
am thinking of endoscopy lamps, with Xenon lamps in, which have
broadband UV and visible output spectra, which are filtered for use down
the endoscope, but potentially can emit all of this into the work place,
usually only where an interlock fault has developed, or while service
personnel have the case open to change the lamp. I don't know of any
accidents that have involved endoscopes, but there are lots of them
about, so the possibility is not zero.
We also have high intensity visible sources which are not engineered to
limit exposure, including surgical operating lights, which have tens of
thousands of lux for protracted periods, and could illuminate an
unconscious patient, with unaccommodated and dilated eyes, for hours.
Surgeons need the lighting, of course, but they are also working in the
same field for similar periods of time. We also have photodynamic
therapy sources, principally diode lasers (which are tightly controlled
under the existing laser guidelines) and LED sources, which are
typically not tightly controlled, but at least for most of the
therapies, represent a low hazard, being around 630 nm peak output,
where the retina is most tolerant.
The UV sources used to be confined to dermatology/phototherapy, or
within cabinets in CSSD for sterilisation of made-up packs and
dressings, etc, but we now have infection control nurses using the UVA
sources that we corresponded about recently, which now run into double
figures in many hospitals, as the health authorities run about and flap
their hands without much evidence that infection in the hospital is
actually caused by poor hand-washing technique, but that's another
story. We agreed that these represent minimal risk when used for
demonstrating hand fluorescence, but I still have some concerns about
using the lamps outside the casing, for illuminating computer keyboards,
telephones, door handles, etc. In an hour or so, I shall be attending a
Clinical Governance meeting to raise this as a possible hazard, for the
infection control nurses, at least, and also to draw attention to the
last item:
We haven't seen them in the wild yet, but it can only be a matter of
time, before the first UVC emitting 'sterilisers' are brought in by
staff, patients or visitors, who are beguiled by the advertising and web
videos which suggest that a good zap with UVC is the best protection
against bed-bugs, dust mites, MRSA, Bird Flu, Blue Tongue, Foot and
Mouth, dirty knives and forks, unspecified 'bugs' in the atmosphere and
more-or-less anything that depends on DNA to run its course. A brief
analysis of the output of some of these pocket-sized, battery-powered
and mains-powered devices (including various 'wands' and vacuum cleaners
with added zip) suggests that the ICNIRP limit of 30 J/m2 can be
exceeded for skin in contact with the small fluorescent tube that is the
common element in all of these (emitting at 254 nm) in less than a
second.
I have only seen these advertised by US distributors (I can give you
some links, if you don't already have knowledge of these), but the
nature of the internet means that they are already in the UK, but in
small numbers. Regrettably, one of them (the Rio UV Clean Light) is
made just around the corner from us in Gloucestershire, but this is a
particularly nasty source of UVC and is available in Argos for eighty
quid.
Infrared sources are fairly limited within the NHS, and tend to be found
in physiotherapy departments. Again, I know of no real hazards
associated with the use of these, the power being relatively low, and
the application mostly for a bit of light muscle-warming and placebo
magic.
If any of this is new or surprising, let me know, John, and we can look
at the details more closely.
Best wishes.
______________________________________________________________________
David Taylor, MA CSci CPhys MInstP MIPEM - Clinical Scientist
(Head of Non-ionising Radiation Physics / Laser Protection Adviser)
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Great Western Road
GLOUCESTER, GL1 3NN, UK
Tel: +44 (0)8454 225976
Fax: +44 (0)8454 226489
Secretary/Treasurer - British Photodermatology Group (www.BPG.org.uk)
______________________________________________________________________
-----Original Message-----
From: British Medical Laser Association [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of John O'Hagan
Sent: 25 January 2008 15:46
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Non-binding Guide to the Artificial Optical Radiation Directive
The Radiation Protection Division of the Health Protection Agency has
been
contracted by the European Commission to draft the non-binding guide to
the
Artificial Optical Radiation Directive (2006/25/EC). Whilst the guide is
primarily aimed at managers of small and medium-sized enterprises, we
hope
it will also appeal to a wider audience.
We are trying to collate information on the following:
1. The range of artificial optical radiation sources that employees may
be
exposed to. Area lighting may only need to be considered if it is
"special".
2. Whether there are work practices that mean employees are likely to
exceed the ICNIRP exposure limits. For the first time in the UK, these
limits will be legally binding.
3. Whether there are situations were employee exposure to optical
radiation
is likely but no information on the level of exposure is available -
either
because inadequate information is available from the supplier of the
equipment or because no assessment of exposure has been made.
4. Which sources can be considered "safe" under all reasonably
forseeable
conditions.
We will be undertaking a number of on-site assessments to support the
guide. If you think you have a unique or particularly complex exposure
situation then please let us know.
We are also keen to identify examples of good practice, that you may
wish
to share. This can include engineered solutions, procedures or PPE.
We understand that the guide will be freely available in due course from
the EU web site.
Any input will be welcomed.
John O'Hagan
Health Protection Agency
Radiation Protection Division
Chilton
Didcot
Oxon OX11 0RQ
************************************************************************
****
The information in this email and in any attachment(s) is commercial in
confidence. If you are not the named addressee(s) or if you receive this
email in error then any distribution, copying or use of this
communication or the information in it is strictly prohibited. Please
return it to the sender and delete all copies. Thank you. Whilst e-mail
and attachments are virus checked Gloucestershire Healthcare Community
does not accept any liability in respect of any virus which is not
detected.
Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are those
of the author and do not necessarily represent those of their respective
organisation.
Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust http://www.glospct.nhs.uk/
Gloucestershire Partnership Trust http://www.partnershiptrust.org.uk/
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
http://www.gloshospitals.org.uk
************************************************************************
****
|
