Evaluation of arising exposure of ionizing radiation from computed tomography and the associated health concerns
Elfatih Abuelhia, Ali Alghamdi
Abstract
Computed tomography (CT) scans involve exposure to ionizing radiation, which can present unavoidable risks. CT is one of the largest contributors to man-made radiation dose in medical populations. Despite the clinical benefits and the increase of CT imaging usage, the concern of arising exposure of ionizing radiation associated with CT imaging may pose significant health risks. This paper investigates the arising exposure of ionizing radiation from CT and associated radiation dose in the study area. The exposure of ionizing radiation from CT scans was assessed in four hospitals using active detection methods. CT scan operators were exposed to an annual effective dose (mean ± SD) ranged from 2.83 ± 0.4 mSv/y to 12 ± 2.4 mSv/y. The public was exposed to annual effective dose ranged from 0.40 ± 0.04 mSv/y to 0.87 ± 0.04 mSv/y. Patients were exposed to minimum effective dose of 1.03 mSv (head scan) and maximum effective dose of 24.45 mSv (abdomen pelvis). The results show the occupational annual effective dose and the public annual effective dose were within the ICRP recommended dose limits. Its first kind of study in this area and the data obtained emphasizes the importance of applying strategies to optimize the radiation dose from CT scans.