Factors influencing the levels of occupational exposure in medical radiation workers in China, 2021 / 中国辐射卫生

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the factors influencing the levels of occupational exposure in medical radiation workers in China, and to provide a scientific basis for determining the key points of radiation protection in the medical sector. Methods The individual monitoring data on occupational external exposure in medical radiation workers in 2021 were collected from the “National Individual Dose Registry”. The Chi-squared test and logistic regression were used to analyze the factors influencing the levels of occupational exposure in medical radiation workers. Results The Chi-squared test showed that gender, occupational category, medical institution category, region, number of radiation workers per thousand population, and regional per capita GDP were significantly associated with occupational exposure in medical radiation workers exceeding the annual effective dose of 5 mSv and an annual effective dose limit of 20 mSv (χ2 = 21.456−262.329, 7.601−78.650, P < 0.05). The logistic regression analysis further showed that gender, occupational category, region, and number of radiation workers per thousand population were factors influencing the occupational exposure in medical radiation workers exceeding the annual effective dose of 5 mSv (χ2 = 14.621−170.857, P < 0.05); gender, occupational category, region, and regional per capita GDP were factors influencing the occupational exposure in medical radiation workers exceeding the annual effective dose of 20 mSv (χ2 = 5.401−48.709, P < 0.05). Conclusion Male radiation workers in interventional radiology and in central China have high risks of exceeding annual effective doses of 5 and 20 mSv. Moreover, high number of radiation workers per thousand population and regional per capita GDP are associated with low risks. Medical institutions should maintain a sufficient number of radiation workers and strengthen training on radiation protection knowledge for male and interventional radiology workers to enhance their radiation protection awareness. Investigation of the factors contributing to the high occupational exposure in central China should be intensified, and targeted effective measures should be conducted to reduce the occupational exposure in medical radiation workers.