Journal of Radiation Protection and Research

The Korean Association for Radiation Protection (대한방사선방어학회)
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Personal Dosimeters Worn by Radiation Workers in Korea: Actual Condition and Consideration of Their Proper Application for Radiation Protection

  • Eunbi Noh (National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences) ;
  • Dalnim Lee (National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences) ;
  • Sunhoo Park (National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences) ;
  • Songwon Seo (National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences)
  • Received : 2023.02.21
  • Accepted : 2023.06.23
  • Published : 2023.09.30
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Abstract

Background: Assessment of the radiation doses to which workers are exposed can differ depending on the placement of dosimeters on the body. In addition, it is affected by whether the placement is under or over a shielding apron. This study aimed to evaluate the actual positioning of personal dosimeters on the body, with or without shielding aprons, among radiation workers in Korea. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the survey data, which included demographic characteristics, such as sex, age, occupation, work history, and placement of the personal dosimeter being worn, from a cohort study of Korean radiation workers. We assessed the use of personal dosimeters among workers, stratified by sex, age, working period, starting year of work, and occupation. Results and Discussion: Overall, high compliance (89.1% to 99.0%) with the wearing of dosimeters on the chest was observed regardless of workers' characteristics, such as age, sex, occupation, and work history. However, the placement of dosimeters, either under or over the shielding aprons, was inconsistent. Overall, 40.1% of workers wore dosimeters under their aprons, while the others wore dosimeters over their aprons. This inconsistency indicates that radiation doses are possibly measured differently under the same exposure conditions solely owing to variations in the placement of worn dosimeters. Conclusion: Although a lack of uniformity in dosimeter placement when wearing a shielding apron may not cause serious harm in radiation dose management for workers, the development of detailed guidelines for dosimeter placement may improve the accuracy of dose assessment.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the Korea Institute of Radio-logical and Medical Sciences, funded by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, Republic of Korea (50091).

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