It turned out that radiologic technologists' annual radiation dose was close to three times that of doctors. Medical radiation tests such as X-rays and CT (computed tomography) can cause side effects such as cancer if people are unnecessarily overexposed.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency published the 2024 yearbook on personal radiation doses of radiation-related workers at medical institutions on the 23rd after analyzing their individual exposure levels.
According to the yearbook, the number of radiation-related workers increased 244%, from 33,000 in 2004 to 113,610 last year. During the same period, the average annual dose per person fell 63%, from 0.97 mSv (millisieverts) to 0.36 mSv.
The sievert refers to the amount of radiation energy delivered to the human body. When a chest X-ray is taken during a health checkup, a person is exposed to 0.1 mSv of radiation. The annual exposure limit for the general public is 1 mSv. For radiation-related workers, the allowable annual limit is 50 mSv.
By occupation, radiologic technologists had the highest exposure at 0.73 mSv. In particular, those in their 20s recorded 1.25 mSv. Doctors were at 0.25 mSv, nurse aides 0.22 mSv, dentists 0.18 mSv, work assistants 0.16 mSv, dental hygienists 0.15 mSv, and nurses 0.13 mSv.
The agency said, "Radiologic technologists have seen their exposure drop by more than 15% over the past five years," adding, "During the same period, the exposure of doctors, nurses, nurse aides, and work assistants decreased slightly, while that of dentists and dental hygienists increased."
Under current law, due to concerns about radiation exposure, only specialists such as doctors and radiologic technologists may handle related equipment. Radiation-related workers must follow safety rules and undergo a worker health checkup every two years. Radiation doses must be measured at least once every three months.