title: Occupational radiation doses among diagnostic radiation workers in South Korea, 1996-2006.
abstract: This study details the distribution and trends of doses of occupational radiation among diagnostic radiation workers by using the national dose registry between 1996 and 2006 by the Korea Food and Drug Administration. Dose measurements were collected quarterly by the use of thermoluminescent dosimeter personal monitors. A total of 61 732 workers were monitored, including 18 376 radiologic technologists (30 %), 13 762 physicians (22 %), 9858 dentists (16 %) and 6114 dental hygienists (9.9 %). The average annual effective doses of all monitored workers decreased from 1.75 to 0.80 mSv over the study period. Among all diagnostic radiation workers, radiologic technologists received both the highest effective and collective doses. Male radiologic technologists aged 30-49 y composed the majority of workers receiving more than 5 mSv in a quarter. More intensive monitoring of occupational radiation exposure and investigation into its health effects on diagnostic radiation workers are required in South Korea.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Won Jin
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Eun Shil
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.forename: Mina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.forename: Young-Woo
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Seung-Sik
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Kyoung Ae
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Seung Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hyun Koo
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kwang-Yong
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hyeog Ju
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003756:Dental Hygienists; D003815:Dentists; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010820:Physicians; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012042:Registries; D013679:Technology, Radiologic; D013819:Thermoluminescent Dosimetry; D055815:Young Adult