A. LIMA FLORES1
, R. PALOMINO-MERINO1
, E. ESPINOSA1
, V.M. CASTAÑO2
,
L. GUZMÁN-GATICA3
AND G. ESPINOSA4
1 Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Avenida San Claudio y 18 Sur, Colonia San Manuel, Ciudad Universitaria, Puebla C.P.72570, México
2 Centro de Física Aplicada y Tecnología Avanzada, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro C.P.76230, México
3 Servicios de Salud del Estado de Puebla, Antiguo Camino a Guadalupe Hidalgo 11350, Puebla C.P. 72490, México
4 Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito de la Investigación Científica, Ciudad Universitaria, México D.F. C.P.04510, México
*Email: jaflores8630@gmail.com
1 Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Avenida San Claudio y 18 Sur, Colonia San Manuel, Ciudad Universitaria, Puebla C.P.72570, México
2 Centro de Física Aplicada y Tecnología Avanzada, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro C.P.76230, México
3 Servicios de Salud del Estado de Puebla, Antiguo Camino a Guadalupe Hidalgo 11350, Puebla C.P. 72490, México
4 Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito de la Investigación Científica, Ciudad Universitaria, México D.F. C.P.04510, México
*Email: jaflores8630@gmail.com
Abstract
In several theoretical and experimental studies, the topic of the
undesirable generation of photoneutrons in rooms where a linear accelerator
(LINAC) operates has been discussed. When energies above 10 MeV are used
to produce X-rays and give radiotherapy treatment to patients resulting in
additional radiation to patients. Accordingly, an analysis and characterization
of the neutron scattering distribution on different zones in a treatment room
contributes to evaluate the radiological health risk to patients, technical and
other workers involved in treatment. For the evaluation, a device developed
at the PAD-IFUNAM formed by a CR-39 detector enclosed by two 3mm
thick acrylic plates was employed. To avoid environmental contamination, the
CR-39 and the acrylics plates are enclosed in a round plastic box. Sixteen of
these devices were settled in different places inside the treatment room, where
a linear accelerator is used. The results show a significant concentration of
neutron scattering in areas near the head of irradiation. The recommendation
will be to evaluate the neutron scattering concentration in all rooms that’s
operates a LINAC in order to verify the radiological health risk and to mitigate the neutron scattering when concentration levels are to high like those in our
case, in order to avoid unnecessary exposition to patients and personnel in
general.
