An analysis of personnel dose reports in medical radiation occupational workers from an oncology center

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the risk involved, there is need to know the quantum of personnel exposures in whole service. Dose reports from an Oncology Centre over 7 block periods, 5 years each from 1979 till 2013 are analyzed. Materials and Methods: Personnel monitoring (PM) reports till 1990s with film badges and later thermoluminescent (TL) badges (CaSo4.Dy) were evaluated. 35 years total service was taken to represent total professional service of staff superannuating at age 60 years. Results: Mean personnel equivalent dose for 5 year block period is 3.30±0.43 mSv (n=7 blocks). Maximum dose in any block period was 30-60 mSv. Equivalent doses 22% were zero, 64.3% within 5 mSv. 2.1% were above 30 mSv in 5 year periods. Doses were decreasing order 11.8 mSv (radiopharmaceutical preparation), 4.3 mSv (nuclear medicine), 4.1 mSv (medical physics), 2.2 mSv (brachytherapy); 1.2 mSv (radiodiagnosis), 1.1 mSv (external beam radiotherapy) and 0.73 mSv (radiation sterilization plant). Conclusion: The whole body personnel dose in are much lower than recommended annual dose equivalent limits of 100 mSv/5 years. The magnitude of recorded doses to staff show that the risk is negligible and the principle of ALARA is being praciced in the work areas.