Post-disaster effect on radiation safety in multihospital radiological unit: a one-year post-earthquake observation report in Lombok

Abstract

A series of earthquakes that hit Lombok, Nusa Tenggara Barat, in the span of August - September 2018 had caused a massive destruction and major damage especially in the structure of buildings including the radiological unit in the hospitals around the Lombok island. The damage in radiological unit building structures could cause a radiation leak in the surrounding areas and endanger the radiation safety of the hospital personnel. Many efforts were taken from the hospital itself and the government to immediately repair the damages in the structure. This study aimed to reports analysis the damage caused by the earthquake to the building structure and the efforts that were taken to repair the damages one year after the events. The measurements of exposure around the buildings were also performed to assess the results of the building renovation. The results were then compared with the radiation exposure measurements report prior to the events. A series of recommendations was then offered based on the results analysis regarding the enhancement of the shielding.