Radiation Exposure of Personnel Categories at the Center of Oncology and Hematology at Mohammed VI Hospital in Marrakech
Bouchra Amaoui *
Department of Radiotherapy, Regional Center of Oncology, Agadir, Morocco.
Abdennasser El Kharras
Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco.
Mohammed Aabid
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Ibn Tofail, Kenitra, Morocco.
Oum Keltoum Hakam
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Ibn Tofail, Kenitra, Morocco.
Abdelmajid Choukri
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Ibn Tofail, Kenitra, Morocco.
Slimane Semghouli
Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Agadir, Morocco.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objective: This study aims to estimate the annual doses for personnel categories following their exposure to ionizing radiation during their occupation in the external radiotherapy department of the Center of Oncology and Hematology (COH) at Mohammed VI Hospital in Marrakech.
Materials and Methods: Operational dosimeters PACK MGP DMC 3000 were used to measure the dose rates around the machines operating with ionizing radiation. In order to assess the reliability of the measurements made by these dosimeters, they were checked against measurements made at the same position by the Inspector detector. The annual effective dose was calculated by multiplying the average dose rate measured during a procedure by the overall treatment time throughout a year.
Results: Regarding the reliability check of the measuring instrument, the recorded error is between 2 and 10% with an average of 7%. For personnel category A, the measured dose rate ranges from 0.066 to 0.083 µSv/h, with an average value of 0.075 µSv/h. For category B, it varies between 0.066 and 0.083 µSv, with an average value of 0.092 µSv/h. It is 0.074 µSv/h for category C. The annual dose for category A ranges from 0.089 to 0.113 mSv/year, with an average value of 0.101 mSv/year. For category B, it varies between 0.089 and 0.113 mSv/year, with an average value of 0.100 mSv/year. It is 0.100mSv/year for category C.
Conclusion: The annual effective doses to personnel categories, assessed by this study, are very low compared to the regulatory standards set by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). As a result, workers benefit from good radiation protection conditions within the Center of Oncology and Hematology at Mohammed VI Hospital in Marrakech.
Keywords: Medical exposure, annual dose, personnel categories, radiotherapy.