Risk of occupational radiation exposure for radiation workers involved in interventional endourology in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

In recent years, fluoroscopically-guided interventional procedures have become an essential part of endourology practices and widely performed around the world. Despite the many clinical benefits of these procedures, they expose patients and workers to a significant amount of radiation. Thus, this study aimed to estimate the mean annual occupational radiation dose for interventional endourology workers in Saudi Arabia. During the five-year period from 2017 to 2021, 262 interventional endourology workers were monitored to estimate the radiation effective dose during their work routine in 28 Saudi Ministry of Health healthcare facilities. To estimate the radiation effective doses for workers, thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) were used on a quarterly basis. The interventional endourology workers were asked to operate the TLD-100 device using a lead apron, a thyroid protective collar and leaded protective eyewear to protect most parts of their body. The mean annual effective dose (mSv) was used as an indicator of the overall occupational exposure for the workers. Analysis of the occupational dose data showed that the mean annual effective dose for all workers, averaged over the study period, was 0.70 mSv (0.12–3.18 mSv). The results indicate a safe environment in terms of radiation protection with no single dose exceeding the recommended occupational dose limits. However, optimisation of radiation protection practices is always advised to facilitate a reduction in the occupational exposure to the radiation dose.