Shielding assessment in three diagnostic X-ray facilities in Asaba, South-South Nigeria: how compliant are we to radiation safety?

Authors

Keywords:

controlled areas, supervised area, shielding design goal, personnel, dose rate

Abstract

Introduction. Shielding is an important aspect of radiation protection, intending to ensure the safe use of ionising radiation. 

Aim and objectives.  This study is aimed at determining the instantaneous dose rate (IDR) and annual dose rate (ADR) to occupationally exposed workers within controlled areas and other staff/persons within the supervised areas in the three X-ray units. The objective was to compare the shielding design goals (P) in both classified areas mentioned above with recommended standards. 

Materials and methods.  Three X-ray facilities denoted as centre A, B and C were used. The equipment used in this study was two floor-mounted X-ray systems and one mobile X-ray unit. A calibrated survey meter was positioned at about 30cm from each barrier at various points to determine the average shielded air kerma. 

Results.  The mean background radiation in the three facilities was 0.10µSv/hr. The mean IDR to the controlled and supervised areas in centre A was 0.254±0.15 and 0.162±0.05µSv/hr, centre B: 0.524±0.73 and 0.154±0.05µSv/hr, and centre C: 0.322±0.20 and 0.147±0.07µSv/hr respectively. The mean shielding design goal (P) to the controlled areas in centre A, B and C was 0.712±0.42, 1.466±2.04 and 0.901±0.56mSv/yr, respectively. Similarly, the mean shielding design goal (P) for the supervised areas for centre A, B and C was 0.455±0.15, 0.431±0.15 and 0.410±0.19mSv/yr, respectively. The ADR to a radiographer behind the mobile screen in centre A, B and C was 1.394, 4.480 and 1.341mSv/yr, respectively. 

Conclusion.  The mean ADR and shielding design goals in the controlled and supervised areas from the three studied X-ray units were within acceptable limits for occupationally exposed staff and the public.

Author Biographies

Akintayo Daniel Omojola, Department of Radiology, Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State

Department of Radiology/Medical Physicist

Michael Onoriode Akpochafor, Department of Radiation Biology, Radiotherapy and Radiodiagnosis, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos State

Department of Radiation Biology, Radiotherapy and Radiodiagnosis/ Medical Physicist (Senior Lecturer)

Samuel Olaolu Adeneye, Department of Radiation Biology, Radiotherapy and Radiodiagnosis, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos State

Department of Radiation Biology, Radiotherapy and Radiodiagnosis/ Medical Physicist (Lecturer)

Azuka Anthonio Agboje, Department of Radiology, Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State

Department of Radiology, Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State/ Senior Radiographer

Isiaka Olusola Akala, Department of Radiology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos State

Department of Radiology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos State/ Medical Physicist

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Published

2021-05-26

Issue

Vol. 59 No. 1 (2021)

Section

Original Articles

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