Hazards to the eye lens and gonads from hard beta rays

Considerable attention has been paid to the protection against x and gamma radiation but comparatively less stress has been given to the possible hazard due to external radiation from high-energy beta rays. In order to evaluate the magnitude of this hazard, central-axis depth doses at different source-to-skin distances for 90Sr-90Y and 32P sources were measured. Isodose curves in a testicular phantom for a 90Sr-90Y source were measured. The data of Haybittle for 144Ce for 10 cm SSD has been included. From the measured data, the eye-lens epithelium dose may be as high as 51%, 21.5%, and 82%, respectively, for the three sources instead of 15% as has been conventionally assumed. The isodose curves obtained in the testicular phantom indicate that an appreciable amount of testicular tissue can be subjected to radiation exposures. The radiation hazards due to high-energy beta rays are not negligible and considerable care should be exercised while using these sources.