Évaluation de l’exposition des travailleurs du service de radioimmunoanalyse du Bénin aux rayonnements ionisants de l’iode 125

Abstract

Occupational radiation dose of staff handling 125I assessment at the Benin radioimmunoassay laboratory, have been undertaken from October 2012 to April 2013 to determine level of radiation safety. Equivalent dose to skin, whole body and extremities, were measured by the mean of thermoluminescence dosimetry. Firstly, three permanent workers and two students were provided with finger ring dosimeters to wear at index finger base of both hands. Ring dosimeters were used for four months. Secondly, three permanent workers and three students were provided with badge dosimeters to wear at the chest level. Badge dosimeters were renewed monthly for six months. The exposed ring and badge dosimeters were evaluated in Ghana. Permanent workers highest average equivalent dose received at index finger base of both hands was 142.75±89.54, microSV/2 months and that of students was 34.69±29.23, microSV/2 months. Workers skin exposure was below one third of prescribed dose limits for permanents workers (500mSv/yr) and students (150mSv/yr). Whole body exposure, expressed in mSv/month, of permanent workers and students, respectively ranged from 0.12 to 0.23 and from 0.11 to 0.16. Radio-immuno-assay laboratory workers are weakly exposed to ionizing radiation. They are safe from deterministic effect risk.