Review of 10-Year Whole-Body Occupational Radiation Exposure for Radiation Workers in Ghana

Occupational exposure to radiation workers in Ghana has been analyzed for a 10-y period between 2000 and 2009. Monitored dose data in medical, education, research and industrial institutions were extracted from the database of RPI of Ghana. 180 medical facilities were monitored. Highest annual collective dose of 601.2 man-mSv was recorded in 2002 and the least of 142.6 manmSv was recorded in 2009, in the medical sector. Average dose per exposed worker for the medical sector was least in radiotherapy and highest in diagnostic radiology, with values 0.14 and 1.05 mSv, respectively. Range of average effective doses in diagnostic radiology, radiotherapy and nuclear medicine facilities were 0.328–2.614, 0.383–0.728 and 0.448–0.695 mSv respectively. In the education, research and industrial institutions, a total of 34 facilities were monitored. Annual collective doses received by exposed workers in education/research and industrial sectors reduced by ~39 and ~62% respectively, between 2000 and 2009. Average dose per exposed worker for the study period was least in industrial sector and highest in education/research sector with values 0.6 and 3.7 mSv, respectively. Range of institutional average effective doses within the education/research and industrial sectors were 0.059–6.029, and 0.110–2.945 mSv, respectively. (author)