Interim Report of the JHPS Expert Committee on Radiation Protection of the Lens of the Eye (Ⅲ)

-Recent Study Related to Radiation Dose Level and Radiation Protection for the Lens of the Eye of Workers in Other Countries-

Abstract

Many studies have been internationally reported as part of projects regarding the radiation exposure for the lens of the eye of medical staff members under various conditions, methods of dosimetry and development of dosimeters for the lens of the eye. Recently conducted studies include the Retrospective Evaluation of Lens Injuries and Dose (RELID) of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Occupational Cataracts and Lens Opacities in interventional Cardiology (O’CLOC) study in France, Optimization of Radiation Protection of Medical Staff (ORAMED) project in European countries, and a 20-year prospective cohort study among US radiologic technologists. Given the newly implemented dose limit for the lens of the eye by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), we summarized these studies as the necessary information for reconsideration of the Japanese dose limit for the lens of the eye. In addition, this article also covers the exposures for the lens of the eye of clean-up workers in the Chernobyl accident as shown in ICRP Publication 118 and the results of a hearing survey with specialists of the Academy of Medical Science of Ukraine.