Understanding radiological protection systems among diagnostic radiology facilities in Mumbai, India.

This study aims to understand radiological protection systems in diagnostic radiology practices among 30 diagnostic radiology facilities in Mumbai, India. It assesses the status of radiological protection systems in the facilities, continuous professional development (CPD) of workers and their risky working behaviour and perceptions using a semi-structured questionnaire. Then, we examine the perceptions of workers when they were working in facilities without proper protection systems. We also, attempt to understand the reasons why workers engage in risky behaviour despite the availability of protective systems. In doing so, we examine the influence of CPD on their work behaviour. The study observed that about 20% of the diagnostic radiology facilities in Mumbai had lack of implementation of the regulatory requirements and establishment of radiological protection systems. Obviously, it is expected that the workers of regulated facilities would comply with regulatory requirements, and their working behaviour would be better than those of their counterparts of unregulated facilities would. However, our study observes that some workers in the regulated practices also indulge in risky working behaviour. About 30% of workers were not using personal monitoring device during work procedures. Although lead aprons were available in the facilities, about 51% of workers were not wearing it wherever required. It was observed that about 10% of workers engaged in the activities like opening the door during radiation exposure, chatting with others on mobile phone during procedure and not checking collimator light before radiation exposure etc. The factors that contributed to workers' engagement in risky work behaviour are the non-availability of protection systems, lack of exposure to CPD, low-risk perception of workers and dearth of communication between institutes and regulator.

Assessment of radiological protection systems among diagnostic radiology facilities in North East India.

This study aims to assess the adequacy level of radiological protection systems available in the diagnostic radiology facilities located in three capital cities of North East (NE) India. It further attempts to understand, using a multi-disciplinary approach, how the safety codes/standards in diagnostic radiology framed by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to achieve adequate radiological protection in facilities, have been perceived, conceptualized, and applied accordingly in these facilities. About 30 diagnostic radiology facilities were randomly selected from three capitals of states in NE India; namely Imphal (Manipur), Shillong (Meghalaya) and Guwahati (Assam). A semi-structured questionnaire developed based on a multi-disciplinary approach was used for this study. It was observed that radiological practices undertaken in these facilities were not exactly in line with safety codes/standards in diagnostic radiology of the AERB and the IAEA. About 50% of the facilities had registered/licensed x-ray equipment with the AERB. More than 80% of the workers did not use radiation protective devices, although these devices were available in the facilities. About 85% of facilities had no institutional risk management system. About 70% of the facilities did not carry out periodic quality assurance testing of their x-ray equipment or surveys of radiation leakage around the x-ray room, and did not display radiation safety indicators in the x-ray rooms. Workers in these facilities exhibited low risk perception about the risks associated with these practices. The majority of diagnostic radiology facilities in NE India did not comply with the radiological safety codes/standards framed by the AERB and IAEA. The study found inadequate levels of radiological protection systems in the majority of facilities. This study suggests a need to establish firm measures that comply with the radiological safety codes/standards of the AERB and IAEA to protect patients, workers and the public of this region.

Assessment of natural radioactivity concentration in the soil samples from the Churchandpur and Ukhrul districts of Manipur, India.

The natural radioactivity concentration was studied for 40 soil samples of the Churchandpur and Ukhrul districts of Manipur, India, by using gamma-ray spectroscopy. The average radioactivity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in Churchandpur was found as 39.9 (range: 30-56), 72.1 (range: 57-93) and 564.1 (range:360-867) Bq kg-1 respectively, whereas, in Ukhrul, average radioactivity for the same was found as 30.3 (range: 16-54), 54.2 (range:24-89) and 637.1(range:103-901) Bq kg-1, respectively. The calculated radioactivity parameters were compared with the world average values. The measured radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose rate ($\dot{\mathrm D}$), annual effective outdoor dose(E) and the external hazard index (Hex) were observed as 165 (range: 63.7-234.8) Bq kg-1, 77.6 (36.9-108.0) nGy h-1, 0.11 (0.05-0.13) mSv y-1 and 0.5 (0.1-0.6), respectively. This study aims to provide baseline data for radionuclide present in the Churchandpur and Ukhrul districts of Manipur.