Efficiency evaluation of leaded glasses and visors for eye lens dose reduction during fluoroscopy guided interventional procedures

PURPOSE Fluoroscopy guided interventional procedures guarantee high benefits for patients, but are associated with high levels of radiation exposure for the medical staff. Their increasing use and complexity results in even higher radiation exposures, with a risk to exceed the annual dose limit of 20 mSv for the eye lens. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential dose reduction of eye lens exposure for lead glasses and for two types of visors (half and full), used by physicians performing interventional procedures. METHODS Eye lens dose measurements were carried out on an anthropomorphic phantom simulating a physician performing a fluoroscopy guided interventional procedure. Dose reduction factors were calculated using high sensitivity thermoluminescent dosimeters. Moreover, a spatial dose distribution was generated for the two visors. RESULTS The dose reduction coefficient was found to be 1.6 for the glasses, 1.2 for the half visor and 4.5 for the full visor. CONCLUSIONS Optimal radiation protection requires a combination of different radiation protection equipment. Full visors that cover all the face of the operator are recommended, as they absorb scattered radiation reaching the eyes from all directions. Full visors should be prioritized over radiation protection glasses for cases where other protective equipment such as ceiling shielding cannot be used

Two decades of forest-related legislation changes in European countries analysed from a property rights perspective

In the last two decades, attention on forests and ownership rights has increased in different domains of international policy, particularly in relation to achieving the global sustainable development goals. This paper looks at the changes in forest-specific legislation applicable to regular productive forests, across 28 European countries. We compare the legal framework applicable in the mid-1990s with that applicable in 2015, using the Property Rights Index in Forestry (PRIF) to measure changes across time and space. The paper shows that forest owners in most western European countries already had high decision-making power in the mid-1990s, following deregulation trends from the 1980s; and for the next two decades, distribution of rights remained largely stable. For these countries, the content and direction of changes indicate that the main pressure on forest-focused legislation comes from environmental discourses (e.g. biodiversity and climate change policies). In contrast, former socialist countries in the mid-1990s gave lower decision-making powers to forest owners than in any of the Western Europe countries; over the next 20 years these show remarkable changes in management, exclusion and withdrawal rights. As a result of these changes, there is no longer a clear line between western and former socialist countries with respect to the national governance systems used to address private forest ownership. Nevertheless, with the exception of Baltic countries which have moved towards the western forest governance system, most of the former socialist countries still maintain a state-centred approach in private forest management. Overall, most of the changes we identified in the last two decades across Europe were recorded in the categories of management rights and exclusion rights. These changes reflect the general trend in European forest policies to expand and reinforce the landowners' individual rights, while preserving minimal rights for other categories of forest users; and to promote the use of financial instruments when targeting policy goals related to the environmental discourse

Heavy Metal Retention by Different Forest Species Used for Restoration of Post-Mining Landscapes, N. Greece

The main objective of this research was to study heavy metal absorption by the leaves of main forest species which were planted for that purpose at post-lignite mining landscapes in Northern Greece (Ptolemais, Prefecture of Kozani), as well as in a neighboring region (Kato Grammatiko), 30 km far from the mining area. Four species were studied; two conifers (Pinus nigra Arn., Cupressus arizonica Greene) and two broad-leaved (Robinia pseudoacacia L., Populus nigra L.). The four species varied in their leaf morphology (needles, scale-like leaves, blade, compound or simple, with rough or smooth surfaces). Eighty (80) leaf samples were collected, (10 from each tree species at either site). The heavy metal concentrations measured were iron (Fe), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and cobalt (Co). Statistically significant differences (p = 0.01) were found between the lignite deposit and control areas and among the studied species. Higher concentrations were measured for the studied species at the lignite deposit. Moreover, no species demonstrated maximum absorption for all metals. The metal absorption pattern by coniferous trees’ leaves at the mining landscape was similar, with highest concentrations observed for iron and lowest for cobalt [iron (Fe) > zinc (Zn) > manganese (Mn) > copper (Cu) > chromium (Cr) > nickel (Ni) > cobalt (Co)]. Both broadleaved species absorbed highest concentrations of iron, but differed in the amount of the remaining metals [black locust: iron (Fe) > manganese (Mn) > zinc (Zn) > copper (Cu) > nickel (Ni) > chromium (Cr); black poplar: iron (Fe) > zinc (Zn) > manganese (Mn) > copper (Cu) > nickel (Ni) > chromium (Cr) > cobalt (Co)]. Cadmium was detected only in black poplar at both sites. In general, black pine was found to absorb the highest concentration of iron (Fe), and black poplar zinc (Zn). We discuss the importance of carefully selecting the appropriate mixture of tree species in order to achieve maximum habitat restoration effect at heavy metal polluted sites

Forest species selection for urban use concerning their behavior to heavy metals

The research investigated forest species selection for urban use concerning their behavior to heavy metals. The research was carried out in trees of three main streets of municipality of Thessalonica: (1) M. Alexandros Avenue, (2) Egnatia road and (3) Karamanlis Avenue. Five forest species were studied: Cupressus arizonica, Albizia julibrissin, Platanus orientalis, Celtis australis and Ligustrum japonicum. Species’ selection (broadleaves or coniferous, deciduous or evergreen) wasmade on the basis of different leaf morphology (lamina-needle, simply-compound, smooth-rough) and their different growth form (tree or shrub). The following silvicultural characteristics were also measured: breast diameter, total height of tree, crown beginning height and crown’s diameters. Heavy metals that were measured are: copper (Cu), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn). Statistically significant differences between the studied species were found for all metals. In addition, not a single species was found to retain the highest concentration of all. Metal concentration on leaves’ surface in declining order was: manganese (Mn) > coper (Cu) > zinc (Zn) > lead (Pb) > chromium (Cr) > nickel (Ni) > cadmium (Cd). Lead (Pb) concentration on the surface of the leaves was not found statistically important between the two treatments (leaves that were washed or not). All species had bigger metals’ concentration at their lower crown part except Albizia julibrissin. Heavy metal correlation showed that there is a strong correlation between certain metals regarding leaves that were collected from the lower part of the crown and were washed with distilled water.Η έρευνα αυτή σχεδιάστηκε για να διερευνήσει την επιλογή δασοπονικών ειδών για αστική χρήση σε σχέση με τη συμπεριφορά τους προς τα βαρέα μέταλλα. Η έρευνα πραγματοποιήθηκε στις δενδροστοιχίες τριών κεντρικών δρόμων του δήμου Θεσσαλονίκης: 1) λεωφόρος Μ. Αλεξάνδρου, 2) οδός Εγνατία και γ) λεωφόρος Καραμανλή. Τα πέντε δασοπονικά είδη που μελετήθηκαν ήταν: Cupressus arizonica, Albizia julibrissin, Celtis australis, Platanus orientalis και Ligustrum japonicum. Η επιλογή των ειδών (πλατύφυλλα ή κωνοφόρα, φυλλοβόλα ή αειθαλή) έγινε με βάση τη μορφολογία των φύλλων τους (έλασμα-βελόνες, απλά-σύνθετα, λεία-τραχειά) και την αυξητική μορφή τους (δένδρο ή θάμνος). Για κάθε δένδρο μετρήθηκαν και τα ακόλουθα δασοκομικά χαρακτηριστικά: η στηθιαία διάμετρος και το συνολικό ύψος του δένδρου, το ύψος έναρξης και οι διάμετροι της κόμης. Τα βαρέα μέταλλα των οποίων οι μέσες συγκεντρώσεις μετρήθηκαν ήταν ο χαλκός (Cu), ο μόλυβδος (Pb), το χρώμιο (Cr), το νικέλιο (Ni), το κάδμιο (Cd), το μαγγάνιο (Mn) και ο ψευδάργυρος (Zn). Για όλα τα μέταλλα βρέθηκαν στατιστικά σημαντικές διαφορές ανάμεσα στα μελετηθέντα είδη. Επίσης, δεν βρέθηκε ένα είδος να κατακρατεί τη μέγιστη συγκέντρωση από όλα τα μέταλλα. Η συγκέντρωση των μετάλλων στην επιφάνεια των φύλλων σε φθίνουσα σειρά ήταν: μαγγάνιο (Mn) > χαλκός (Cu) > ψευδάργυρος (Zn) > μόλυβδος (Pb) > χρώμιο (Cr) > νικέλιο (Ni) κάδμιο (Cd). Η κατακράτηση μολύβδου (Pb) στην επιφάνεια των φύλλων δεν βρέθηκε στατιστικά σημαντική μεταξύ των δύο χειρισμών (φύλλα που πλύθηκαν ή όχι). Όλα τα δασοπονικά είδη παρουσίασαν μεγαλύτερες συγκεντρώσεις μετάλλων στο κάτω μέρος της κόμης εκτός του είδους Albizia julibrissin. Η έρευνα συσχέτισης των βαρέων μετάλλων που είχαν κατακρατηθεί από τα φύλλα έδειξε ότι υπάρχει ισχυρή συσχέτιση μεταξύ ορισμένων μετάλλων για τα φύλλα που είχαν συλλεγεί στο κάτω μέρος της κόμης και που κατά το χειρισμό είχαν πλυθεί με αποσταγμένο νερό

Fuel Treatments and Potential Fire Behavior in Peri-Urban Forests in Northern Greece

The peri-urban and urban forests in Greece occupy a total area of 105.353 ha. In these vulnerable ecosystems, fire constitutes a natural disaster presenting particular challenges and specific difficulties. These include the high number of visitors as well as the forest characteristics, such as the presence of particularly flammable tree species and the high accumulation of combustible biomass, that make the on-start of fires more likely. The main purpose of the current research is to identify the optimum combination of silvicultural treatments to efficiently reduce potential severity of forest fires and to facilitate their successful suppression by firefighting crews. In order to simulate the basic fire environment of urban forests, two main experimental plots were established and several tree and topographical characteristics were measured. Additionally, a crown fire hazard modelling system (NEXUS) was used to simulate forest fire potential behavior before and after the adoption of the silvicultural treatments that altered critical characteristics of the forest fire environment. The results clearly show that specific silvicultural prescriptions altered the type of forest fire spreading potential, revealing the overall efficiency of preventing actions during forest management

Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution Using Forest Species Plantations of Post-Mining Landscapes, Ptolemais, N. Greece

The main purpose of the study was the absorption of heavy metals in the leaves of forest tree species, which were planted in two different plots for forestry use and environmental restoration. Four species were studied Pinus brutia, Robinia pseudoacaccia, Quercus trojana and Fraxinus ornus. Forty-eight leaf samples were collected which consisted of six samples from each species at each plot. The heavy metal concentrations in the leaves were measured for the following nine heavy metals: iron (Fe), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co) and lead (Pd). The determinative estimation of metal concentration was carried out in the clear filtrate, using ICP-OES. Statistically significant differences in the concentrations of the heave metals were found among the species, as well as between the two plots. It was only in Robinia peudoacacia’s leaves that the cadmium concentration showed a statistical difference among the other species. The same applied for manganese in Quercus trojana’s leaves and zinc for Pinus brutia. The careful selection and planting of the appropriate forest tree species provides for an overall improvement in the environment in heavy metal polluted sites, such as those resulting from thermal power plants

Systematic literature review on the benefit of patient protection shielding during medical X-ray imaging: Towards a discontinuation of the current practice.

PURPOSE Patient shielding during medical X-ray imaging has been increasingly criticized in the last years due to growing evidence that it often provides minimal benefit and may even compromise image quality. In Europe, and as also shown in a short assessment in Switzerland, the use of patient shielding is inhomogeneous. The aim of this study was to systematically review recent literature in order to assess benefits and appraise disadvantages related to the routine use of patient shielding. METHODS To evaluate benefits and disadvantages related to the application of patient shielding in radiological procedures, a systematic literature review was performed for CT, radiography, mammography and fluoroscopy-guided medical X-ray imaging. In addition, reports from medical physics societies and authorities of different countries were considered in the evaluation. RESULTS The literature review revealed 479 papers and reports on the topic, from which 87 qualified for closer analysis. The review considered in- and out-of-plane patient shielding as well as shielding for pregnant and pediatric patients. Dose savings and other dose and non-dose related effects of patient shielding were considered in the evaluation. CONCLUSIONS Although patient shielding has been used in radiological practice for many years, its use is no longer undisputed. The evaluation of the systematic literature review of recent studies and reports shows that dose savings are rather minimal while significant dose- and non-dose-related detrimental effects are present. Consequently, the routine usage of patient protection shielding in medical X-ray imaging can be safely discontinued for all modalities and patient groups

Exposure of the Swiss population to computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: The frequency of CT procedures has registered a significant increase over the last decade, which led at the international level to an increasing concern on the radiological risk associated with the use of CT especially in paediatrics. This work aimed at investigating the use of computed tomography in Switzerland, following the evolution of CT frequency and dose data over a decade and comparing it to data reported in other countries. METHODS: The frequency and dose data related to CT are obtained by means of a nationwide survey. National frequencies were established by projecting the collected data, using the ratio of the number of CT units belonging to the respondents to the total number of CT units in the country. The effective doses per examination were collected during an auditing campaign. RESULTS: In 2008 about 0.8 Million CT procedures (~ 100 CT examinations / 1000 population) were performed in the country, leading to a collective effective dose of more than 6000 man.Sv (0.8 mSv/caput). In a decade the frequency of CT examinations averaged over the population and the associated average effective dose per caput increased by a factor of 2.2 and 2.9 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although the contribution of CT to the total medical X-rays is 6% in terms of the frequency, it represents 68% in terms of the collective effective dose. These results are comparable to those reported in a number of countries in Europe and America with similar health level