Research summary, narrative review, 2026

Occupational exposure to ionizing radiation in a nuclear medicine department: myth and reality

Bonardel G, Vuillez JP. La Presse Médicale. 2026

Read the original paper

In plain language

National French dosimetry data show nuclear medicine workers averaged 0.78 mSv in 2023, with no regulatory limits exceeded for body, extremity or eye lens doses. This review covers nuclear medicine, not interventional fluoroscopy.

At a glance

Type of study
Narrative review
Who was studied
Mixed lab staff
Where
France
Summary based on
the abstract

What it found

  • Average annual occupational dose for nuclear medicine workers in France in 2023 was very low, about three times below average natural background exposure.

    Key figures: 0.78 mSv

  • No regulatory dose limit was exceeded for whole-body, extremity or eye lens exposure.

  • Most reported significant radiation protection events were minor and had no clinical consequence.

  • The authors argue the linear no-threshold model has limitations at low doses and conclude nuclear medicine is among the least exposed hospital specialties.

Limits to keep in mind

Narrative review drawing on national registry reports (IRSN 2023, ASN 2024) for France only, reported through an abstract; average doses may mask higher individual exposures, and the critique of the LNT model reflects the authors' view.

How this summary was made

ORSIF prepared this summary with AI assistance from the abstract of the paper. A program then checked that the passage supporting each finding appears word for word in that source. A person has not yet reviewed each summary, so read the original before relying on a number. ORSIF summarizes research and does not endorse any product or company. Report a problem with this summary.

Prepared November 3, 2026.