Recognition of occupational exposure and current radiological protection measures among female medical staff

Abstract

A questionnaire survey was conducted with 2,664 female medical staff members (nurses, doctors, and radiology technicians) working at six hospitals in the Kanto area to examine their concerns regarding occupational exposure and the current status of radiological protection measures. Overall, 35.4% of the respondents had current or past radiological work experience. Regardless of prior radiological work experience, 42.6% of the respondents had concerns about occupational exposure, especially exposure associated with fluoroscopy and IVR. Among the respondents currently engaged in radiological work (369 individuals), 49.1% wore only one personal dosimeter on their abdomen, and 47.9% wore two dosimeters, with one being on their abdomen and the other around their neck. Regarding the dose limit for female individuals of reproductive age stipulated by Japanese radiation protection regulations, 67.0% of respondents answered that these limits were “necessary”, and 1.2% deemed them “not necessary”. Expectations for more education on radiation protection measures and thorough radiation control were suggested, as well as the need to continue the dose limits for women of reproductive age established in the Japanese radiation protection regulations.