A national survey of occupational radiation exposure among diagnostic radiologic technologists in South Korea. Issue 4 (6th November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Jeeyoung; Cha, Eun Shil; Jeong, Meeseon; Lee, Won Jin
• Is Part Of: Radiation protection dosimetry. Volume 167:Issue 4(2015)
• Page Start: 525
• Page End: 531
• Publication Date: 2014-11-06
• Subjects: Radiation dosimetry -- Periodicals; Radiation -- Safety measures -- Periodicals; 363.1799
• DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncu330
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-8420

Abstract

Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate representative occupational characteristics and radiation exposure for South Korean radiologic technologists. The authors conducted a national survey by stratified sampling of South Korean administrative districts and types of medical facilities. A total of 585 technologists were surveyed, and survey data were linked with dosimetry data from the National Dose Registry. A total of 73 % of radiologic technologists sampled were male, 62 % were younger than age 40 and 86.5 % began employment after 1990. The most frequent practices among radiologic technologists were diagnostic routine X-ray followed by computed tomography (CT) and portable X-ray. Male workers were more frequently involved in CT, portable X-ray and interventional radiology whereas female workers carried out most mammography procedures. The average annual effective dose was 2.3 mSv for male and 1.3 mSv for female workers. The dose was significantly higher for workers in the provinces and those who had recently started work.