Research Involving Radiation

Projects involving radiation exposure (including DEXA scans) require Full Board review (view deadlines).

If vulnerable subjects are involved, separate review by the Virginia Tech Radiation Safety Committee is required. Examples include cases in which:

1. The subject is pregnant. Generally, pregnant women may not be exposed to ionizing radiation for research purposes. The investigator must ensure that female subjects are not pregnant at the start of the study, are informed of the risks, and are told that they will be excluded if they become pregnant during the study.
2. The subject is breast-feeding. Radionuclides usually may not be used on breast-feeding women.
3. The subject is under the age of 18. Generally, minors may not be exposed to ionizing radiation solely for research purposes.
4. The subject will be exposed to multiple research procedures involving ionizing radiation such that the total whole-body radiation dose received in those research procedures will exceed 500 mRem in one year. Investigators must screen subjects to determine whether they have been exposed to ionizing radiation during other research in the past 12 months.