Analysis of the current status of radiation protection in non-medical sectors in China / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To analyzes the current status of radiation protection in non-medical sectors, together with the vulnerable spots in the prevention and control of occupational radiation sickness in China in order to provides both technical basis for occupational health management in non-medical radiation sectors and the better protection of occupational health benefits for radiation workers.Methods:The monitoring plan for this survey was worked out on the part of the National Institute for Radiological Protection, China CDC. Survey and monitoring of the current status of radiation protection and occupational health management were, under the monitoring the plan, completed by the relevant agencies of all provincial-level regions for the key industries of non-medical sectors countrywide, involving occupational health monitoring, personal dose monitoring, radiation protection monitoring instruments equipped, and radiation protection monitoring in workplace. Based on the survey result , the deficiencies in radiation protection and occupational health monitoring in non-medical sectors were analyzed.Results:The survey of non-medical sectors was divided into general investigation and detailed monitoring, with the general investigations covering 9 075 non-medical institutions in 31 provincial-level regions across the country. Of them, a total of 4 911 institutions within 329 district-level regions received detailed investigation and radiation protection monitoring. As survey result , the X, γ ambient dose equivalent rates for the institutions using ray-generator are greater than 2.5 μSv/h, about 2.35% of the total, with a maximum of 817 μSv/h. The values for those using radioactive sources were greater than 2.5 μSv/h, about 9.57%, with a maximum of 1 700 μSv/h. The frequencies of personal dose monitoring and occupational health examination were 72.9% and 82.1%, respectively.Conclusions:There is still a gap in radiation protection between the current status and the national regulations and standards in non-medical sectors, so both regulation and management of radiation protection should be further strengthened.