The cracking of whip by the regulator Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has forced the administration of the Government Doon Medical College (GDMC) to purchase the Lead aprons and the mandatory Thermo Luminescent Dosimeter (TLD) badges used for measuring ionizing radiation exposure for the workers of radiology department.
The Principal of the GDMC, Dr Pradip Bharati Gupta confirmed that the college has received eleven radiation badges to the workers. These badges were provided by the AERB. He said that these badges would keep the workers of the radiology department in the safe limit of radiations.
These badges would measure the exposure of radiation of the workers when these radiations exceed a certain level these workers would be given a break.
In the month of October last year, the enforcement team of AERB had found gross violations of radiation safety norms and absence of mandatory clearances in the GDMC hospital. The team had sealed one X- ray and one mammography machine and pasted warning of seizing CT scan, digital X -ray and Ultrasound machine if necessary safety measures are not adopted within a month. The team also disclosed that the machines of radiology department of the biggest hospital of the state in government sector were functioning without registration. After their visit the hospital administration completed the formalities of the registration.
During the visit the AERB team members had observed that the technicians were not wearing the Lead apron TLD badges used for measuring ionizing radiation exposure.
After the warning of the radiation safety regulator the administration of the medical college swung into action and initiated the process of installation of safety norms.
Radiation safety measures are very important to minimize the harmful effects of the X rays which are ionizing radiations. These rays have negative effect on the body and pituitary, the master gland in particular is most susceptible to the radiations. The AERB has also given its sanction to the radiodiagnostic machines of the department of radiology.