Diagnostic radiological exposure levels in six selected hospitals of Faisalabad, Pakistan

A study has been carried out to determine the x ray exposure received by the patients in the six selected government and private hospitals in the city of Faisalabad, Pakistan. The objective was to assess the radiation protection status during diagnostics x ray examination in different hospitals of the city. The exposure to x rays of various organs of human body based on sex, age and weight was measured using the ion chamber pocket dosimeters. The doses received by the patients have been compared with those recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It was observed that patients and the technical staff of the hospitals were ignorant of radiation health hazards. The voltage and current parameters of x ray machines were not set properly. X ray films were not adequately processed. The x ray exposure values showed vast diversifications from organ to organ and hospital to hospital. (author)