Dosimetric Assessment of Routine X-Ray Examination at Selected Health Clinics in Perak Using Commercialized Optically-Stimulated Luminescence Dosimeter (OSLD)

Abstract

This study aims to compare entrance surface dose (ESD) values measured with nanoDot Al 2 O 3 :C optically-stimulated luminescence dosimeter (OSLD) and guidance level set under the second national dose survey which utilized old-version LiF:Mg,Ti thermoluminescence dosimeter (TLD). In this study, we conducted a dosimetric assessment for posteroanterior chest X-ray (PA-CXR) examinations performed at various community clinics in Perak, Malaysia. These clinics were selected as they were excluded from the first and second national dose survey conducted in Malaysia in 1993-1995 and 2005-2009, respectively. The ESD is obtained by mounting the OSLD on the surface of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) slabs. The PMMA slabs were then exposed to X-ray based on the current practice of respective clinics. The results show that the 3 rd quartile of ESDs ranged from 0.180 mGy to 0.229 mGy which is less than the recommended guidance level of the second national dose survey by 77 %. ESD measured using OSLD was found to be lower than the guidance values recommended from the second national dose survey. The finding showed a good competency of the radiographer to optimize radiological practice specifically in routine X-ray examination .