Staff radiation exposure at four radiology departments in the Aseer region of Saudi Arabia

Occupational exposure to ionizing radiation of medical personnel is very common at radiology and nuclear medicine departments. Strict regulations and guidelines for the exposure of staff working in such departments were regulated by international authorities such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) as well as national protocols. In order to reduce stochastic effects, for example, radiation induced carcinogenesis, the exposure of staff working at nuclear medicine department should be maintained at levels lower than 20 mSv per year or 100 mSv in five years. The objective of this study is to measure staff radiation dose at four radiology departments in the south region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Exposures received by a total of 106 staff working at the radiology department were monitored for two consecutive years using calibrated Thermoluminecnt dosimeters (LiF:Mg:Ti (TLD-100). Exposure was then quantified in terms of deep dose: Hp (10). The TLD signal was obtained using an automatic TLD reader (Harshaw 6600). The overall annual dose for staff was 1.4 +/- 0.37 (0.67-8.74). The study revealed that the annual radiation exposure in the four-radiology department is below the annual dose limits. However, staff doses could be reduced if proper radiation protection are followed.

Automated summary

Occupational exposure to ionizing radiation is common in radiology and nuclear medicine departments. This study measured the radiation dose of staff at four radiology departments in Saudi Arabia and found that the annual exposure was below the limits. However, implementing proper radiation protection measures could further reduce staff doses.