Occupational radiation dose assessment for nuclear medicine workers in Turkey: A comprehensive investigation

Abstract

Objective: Radioisotopes are used extensively in nuclear medicine. Analysis of occupational doses received by medical radiation workers, especially nuclear medicine staff dealing with radioisotopes, contributes significantly to enhancing safe practice and promoting radiation protection measures in the radiology department. The current study aimed to determine the time trend and the differences in occupational radiation dose among nuclear medicine workers. Methods: Readings of 394 OSL dosimeters were obtained from 31 medical workers and grouped into five worker groups (technologist, physician, nurse, radio-pharmacist, and radio-physicist). Results: The average number of workers dropped to 4.5 in 2020 and 2021 compared to 14.4 in 2014 to 2019. The average annual effective dose and skin dose for all workers based on measurements for a typical yearly workload of 5000 patients were 1.21 (±1.15) mSv and 2.86 (±1.32) mSv, respectively. The highest average annual effective and skin dose was 5.41 and 5.82 mSv, respectively. The NM technologist working in PET/CT received higher mean and maximum effective and skin doses than the other worker groups. Conclusion: The annual effective and skin doses were below the national legislation and international standards. However, improvements in radiation protection practices could be implemented to reduce occupational radiation dose to NM technologists, the most exposed worker group in this study.

Keywords

• Nuclear medicine
• PET CT
• Occupational radiation dose
• Radiation protection
• OSL
• Radiation