Health surveillance in the event of exposure to ionising radiation

This is the set of mandatory checks aimed at protecting the health of those who work, study, carry out research or other activities at the University in case of exposure to ionising radiation risk.

Reference is made to Legislative Decree 101/2020

Surveillance is mandatory when a Radiation Protection Expert identifies those who exceed one or more of the following values in a calendar year as ‘exposed’ due to their activity (Article 133):

• 1 mSv effective dose;
• 15 mSv equivalent dose for the lens of the eye;
• 150 mSv equivalent dose for skin averaged over 1 cm² of skin, regardless of the area exposed;
• 50 mSv equivalent dose for extremities.

Exposed persons are then grouped into Category A exposure and Category B exposure.

At the University, the ionising radiation you may come into contact with is mainly produced by:

• Radioactive nuclides,

RX tubes (X-rays) or accelerators (electrons, X-rays).

Depending on their role and tasks, the following persons may be exposed to ionising radiation:

• Teaching, research and professional staff;
• Non-employed staff and staff of public and private partner organisations, who carry out the activity that exposes them to radiation at the University facilities or host institution facilities;
• Student community, PhD students, specialisation school students, interns, research fellows or grant holders, who carry out the activity at the University facilities or host institution facilities (such as local healthcare facilities in the case of medical specialty students).

Learn more

Do you know what ionising radiation risk is and how to protect yourself? See the dedicated page

Checks are carried out by the Designated Physician. 

Health surveillance consists of a medical examination and of laboratory or instrumental tests or specialist consulting as determined by the Designated Physician (reference is made to the Health Protocol).

A radiation-exposed person who has been classified in Category A or Category B is summoned by the Designated Physician with the frequency established by law and as deemed appropriate by the same Designated Physician (every six months, once a year).

Medical examinations must be carried out:

• Preventively, before a worker is assigned to tasks that expose them to ionising radiation; this can only be done after Occupational Medicine has been notified of their exposure classification by the Radiation Protection Expert.
• Periodically, usually once a year.
• Upon changing jobs, when the associated risks increase.
• Occasionally, at the worker’s request, if the Designated Physician considers the reason for it relevant to occupational risks.
• Before termination of employment, when the Designated Physician advises the worker to undergo medical checks, if appropriate, even after termination of employment, in light of their health and of developments in scientific knowledge.
• Exceptionally, for workers who have been contaminated, i.e. exposed to a level that exceeds the values established in Article 146. This includes, in particular, the treatments, clinical monitoring and tests that the Designated Physician deems necessary based on the findings of the medical examination. In this case, the Designated Physician may decide “to remove a worker from the job to which they are assigned”.

Following the medical examination and based on its findings, the Designated Physician will decide whether a worker is fit for a specific job and inform the employer in writing.

 The decision may be as follows:

• Fit;
• Fit under certain conditions;
• Unfit;
• Workers subject to health surveillance after termination of the job that exposed them to ionising radiation.

The worker may appeal within thirty days of the notification date before the Italian Ministry of Labour and Social Policies. If the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies fails to reply within thirty days of receiving the appeal, this is dismissed (pursuant to Article 145 of Legislative Decree 101/2020).