Vol. 5, Issue 2, Part A (2023)

The Ionizing radiation emitted from X-ray machines has enough energy to bombard the atoms of living cells, damaging their genetic sequence, and resulting in cancer and other health risks. The focus of this study is radiologist. Therefore, measurements were performed at their point of impact. Instantaneous Dose Rate (IDR) was measured using a calibrated portable radiation detector GM-600 plus. The measured IDR in the studied facilities ranged from 0.09 – 16.47 μSv/hr. the calculated absorbed Dose Rate (ADR) ranged from 0.0009 – 0.1647 μSv/hr. The calculated Annual Effective Dose Equivalent (AEDE) also ranges from 0.0055 – 1.0099 mSv/yr. The arithmetic mean and standard deviation values of ADR are (0.0300±0.0407 μSv/hr.), AEDE (0.1838±0.2496 mSv/yr.). The estimated excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) for twenty-two X-ray facilities (X1-X₂₂) ranged from 0.0153 ×10^-3 – 2.8151 ×10^-3, with an arithmetic mean and standard deviation of (0.5187±0.6917). Findings show that ADR and AEDE values are lower than the standards set by NCRP, as well as ELCR values in thirteen (13) as in 59.1% of twenty-two (22) radiology facilities, meaning that radiologist working at these facilities will have no risk of developing cancer during their lifetime. While nine (9) facilities (40.9%) had values greater than the recommended criterion of 0.29 ×10^-3, this indicates that radiologist at these facilities are susceptible to developing cancer in their lifetime.