Among many artificial and natural sources of exposure the exposure which is received indoors is very important both from the point of view of its magnitude and necessity of optimization. Such sources as indoor radon and natural radionuclides in construction materials are the most significant ones. The survey results of national indoor radon show that its concentrations might be rather high in some regions. Construction materials can be a significant source of indoor radon, however, in Lithuania external exposure due to radionuclides in these materials is much more important. Very often natural exposure is neglected from the point of view of radiation protection. Such measures as raising of public awareness, application of radiation protection and construction‐related regulations, remedial measures for radon indoors should be taken in solving the problem. Necessity of optimization of protection from radiation indoors is emphasized.
One of the most effective means towards optimisation of radiation protection for patients undergoing radiodiagnostic examinations are the diagnostic reference levels. In order to ensure the effective use of these levels, they have to be set properly. National characteristics, such as the conditions of the radiological equipments, the training of the staff, the availability of quality assurance systems, etc., have to be taken into account when these levels are established. Measurements under real conditions were considered as the best tools to achieve these reference levels. With an aim to establish the Lithuanian national diagnostic reference levels, the nationwide survey of entrance surface doses received by the patients during the most typical X-ray examinations has been performed. The most common types of examinations, such as chest PA, skull PA and LAT, abdomen AP, lumbar spine AP and LAT, thorax spine AP and LAT, and hip joint AP, were included in the list of procedures under consideration. Hospitals of different size and levels using different X-ray machines were represented in the survey. The standard thermoluminescence dosemeter techniques with pellets attached to the skin of the patient in the centre of radiation field were applied. The data were analysed statistically, and the averages and 75th percentile were calculated. The results show that the Lithuanian diagnostic reference levels might be rather close to the ones promoted by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the European Commission.
The personal dosimetry service of the Radiation Protection Centre performs individual monitoring for all the industrial, medical and research radiation workers. The RADOS and DTU TLD systems are used for monitoring of doses. The DTU TLD system is used for measurements of doses to extremities and for measurements of public external exposure. Finger ring TLDs are used in therapy which uses radiopharmaceuticals. The RADOS system is also used for evaluation of patients' doses in selected hospitals. The dosimetry service recently provided individual monitoring of approximately 3000 workers. The average occupational dose was about 1.06 mSv for medical workers and 3.2 mSv for industrial radiography workers in 1999. Detailed analysis of doses received by different categories of workers is performed. A system for the urgent review of work conditions in the case of increased dose has been set up.
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