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 effec ve dose record of occupa onally exposed radia on workers at Bahawalpur Ins tute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology department. Materials and Methods: Annual effec ve doses of occupa onally exposed workers were measured by film badge dosimetry by sending the dosimeters to Radia on Dosimetry Laboratory (RDL), Pakistan Ins tute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH), Islamabad, Pakistan. 46 Radia on workers dose records were studied for a period of 14-years (2000-13). Professionally exposed radia on workers were divided into groups depending upon their professions. Results: Average effec ve doses of oncologists, nuclear physicians, medical physicists, radia on technologists, nurses and other suppor ng 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 respec vely. The highest annual dose received by radia on technologist was 4.95 mSv. Nobody received the radia on dose greater than 5 mSv in any year and no overexposure case has been no ced throughout the study period. Conclusion: The results revealed that occupa onally exposed individuals received doses lower than the recommended annual limits of 20 mSv y -1 . This study provides basis to set up ac on level that is obligatory by Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Pakistan.