Nanodot Optically Stimulated Luminescence Dosimeter for Entrance Surface Dose measurement at selected Health Clinic in Perak, Malaysia

Abstract

The aimed of this study is to evaluate patient dosimetry received from Posterior Anterior Chest X-ray (PA-CXR) examination performed at community clinics in Perak using a nanodot Al2O3:C Optically Stimulated Luminescence dosimeter (OSLD). Four clinics were involved in this research namely Simpang Health Clinic, Buntong Health Clinic, Teluk Intan Health Clinic and Pengkalan Hulu Health Clinic. The ESD was measured by placing the OSLD on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) slabs that resembling a human body specifically lung. These clinics were selected as they were excluded from the first and second national dose survey conducted in Malaysia since 1993-1995 and 2005-2009 respectively. Previously, the recommended guidance level for PA-CXR entrance surface dose (ESD) was set at 0.9 mGy. We compare the ESD measured with OSL and guidance level set under the second national dose survey which utilized LiF:Mg, Ti thermoluminescence dosimeter (TLD). The results indicated that the 3rd quartile ESD measured using OSLD were ranged 0.271 mGy – 0.368 mGy which 30% lesser than the recommended guidance level.