Medical occupational dose to the skin based on Hp(0.07) measured by thermoluminescent dosimeter: A Saudi national study

Abstract

The most recent investigations of the data on atomic bomb survivors have showed excess relative risk for the incidence of non-melanocytic skin cancer. On the basis of this data, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) proposed an occupational dose limit for skin for occupationally exposed workers (500 mSv), which would provide an adequate protection against radiation risks. This study aimed to estimate the annual occupational dose for skin in terms of equivalent doses for medical workers in diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, dentistry, and operation rooms. In this study, a thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD-100) was used to obtain dose records of 41,180 medical workers for five consecutive years (2015–2019). The TLDs used in this study estimated the skin-dose equivalent at a depth of 0.07 mm, referred to as Hp(0.07). The annual mean Hp(0.07) received by skin averaged over the study period for diagnostic radiology, interventional radiology, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, dentistry, and operation room workers were found to be 0.85 ± 0.63 mSv, 0.88 ± 0.58 mSv, 1.64 ± 0.29 mSv, 0.84 ± 0.35 mSv, 0.81 ± 0.54 mSv, and 0.70 ± 0.44 mSv, respectively. A one-way ANOVA results showed significant differences in annual mean Hp(0.07) among workers (F [5,41174] = 63.69, p = 0.000). Overall, the annual mean Hp(0.07) to the skin was well below the occupational dose limit. Since the relationship between exposure to low-dose ionising radiation and cancer risk has not yet been fully determined, compliance with radiation safety protocols and personal doses should be periodically assessed in any radiological department to keep radiation exposure to staff ALARA.