Current status of follow-up action of excessive exposures in medical institutions and their repercussions

The Division of Radiological Protection of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Bombay, provides a countrywide personnel monitoring service to the medical, industrial and research institutions in which radiation sources are used. In 1976, the above service covered 12475 radiation workers in 1806 institutions. 356 cases of excessive exposure (fortnightly doses of 400 mrems and above) were detected in medical institutions. These cases were further investigated as to their genuineness. A number of them were found to be non-genuine. Remedial actions were suggested in case of genuine cases to the concerned institutions. It is also noted that a number of institutions failed to respond to the investigatory letters. (M.G.B.)