Preliminary dose estimation from indoor radon for the medical staff of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine

Abstract

The aim of this preliminary study was to measure the indoor radon activity concentration in the houses and offices of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine staff at Dokuz Eylul University and to assess the results from a radiological perspective. LR-115 type II solid-state nuclear track detectors were installed in the homes and hospital and were exposed for 2months. LR-115 type II detectors were etched for 90min in 10% (2.5M) NaOH solution at 60 degrees C and radon activity concentration was determined from observed microscopic track densities. It was observed that measured indoor radon concentration ranged between 18 and 624Bq/m(3) with a geometric mean of 95Bq/m(3) in hospital, and between 22 and 560Bq/m(3) with a geometric mean of 129Bq/m(3) in homes. Estimates of the annual effective dose received by medical staff who participated in the study ranged between 0.76 and 8.79mSv. On average, the hospital building contributed 41% to the annual effective dose. The reported values for radon concentrations and the corresponding estimated annual effective equivalent doses were within the limits recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection as well as the Turkish Atomic Energy Commission recommended limits for workplaces and houses.