Radiation exposure received by the medical radiation workers in Lithuania at the Institute of Oncology, Vilnius University, 2004-2011

The occupational radiation exposure of medical radiation workers at the Institute of Oncology, Vilnius University (IOVU) was analysed. Quartile dose measurements were collected and routinely analysed for a period of 8 y from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2011. A total of 193 medical radiation workers were monitored, comprising 34 % physicians (radiologists and radio-therapists), 8 % physicists, 42 % radiological technologists and 16 % ancillary staff. A statistically significant decrease by 18 % has been detected when comparing the annual average effective doses (AAEDs) received by medical radiation workers at the IOVU during periods 2004-2007 and 2008-2011 (p < 0.0001). The main occupation categories responsible for this reduction were of Nuclear Medicine (p < 0.028) and Radiology (p < 0.0001) departments. The values of AAED in Radiology, Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine departments are quite low and well below the annual limit of 20 mSv, averaged over a period of 5 consecutive years. (authors)