Variation of annual effective dose from external ionizing radiation among radiation workers of Bahawalpur Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology (BINO), Pakistan

Background: The aim of the study was to analyze the effective dose record of occupationally exposed radiation workers at Bahawalpur Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology department. Materials and Methods: Annual effective doses of occupationally exposed workers were measured by film badge dosimetry by sending the dosimeters to Radiation Dosimetry Laboratory (RDL), Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH), Islamabad, Pakistan. 46 Radiation workers dose records were studied for a period of 14-years (2000-13). Professionally exposed radiation workers were divided into groups depending upon their professions.    Results: Average effective doses of oncologists, nuclear physicians, medical physicists, radiation technologists, nurses and other supporting staff were in the range of 0.64-1.86, 0.61-2.27, 0.63-1.74, 0.67-2.53, 0.65-2.31 and 0.68-1.79 mSv respectively. The highest annual dose received by radiation technologist was 4.95 mSv. Nobody received the radiation dose greater than 5 mSv in any year and no overexposure case has been noticed throughout the study period. Conclusion: The results revealed that occupationally exposed individuals received doses lower than the recommended annual limits of 20 mSv y-1. This study provides basis to set up action level that is obligatory by Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Pakistan