Assessing Ionizing Radiation Health Impacts on Professional Workers: A Study in Tertiary Hospitals, South Southern Nigeria

The broad spectrum of radiation, encompassing electromagnetic waves, particle radiation, and acoustic radiation, poses potential negative biological consequences, particularly when exposure surpasses the occupation exposure limit (OEL) recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. This study investigates the health implications of ionizing radiation on professional radiation workers in selected tertiary hospitals in South Southern Nigeria. The research evaluates the effective doses incurred by medical and non-medical workers across six different centers (A, B, C, D, E, and F). Among medical workers, center B registers the highest mean effective dose at 0.836±0.200 mSv, followed by center C (0.801±0.313 mSv), center E (0.761±0.123 mSv), center A (0.760±0.250 mSv), center D (0.722±0.120 mSv), and center F with the lowest mean at 0.700±0.067 mSv. A similar pattern is observed for non-medical workers, with center B again exhibiting the highest mean effective dose (0.725±0.200 mSv). While mean differences between medical and non-medical workers are slight, the study underscores that medical workers generally receive higher doses, attributed to their proximity to medical radiation facilities. Statistical analyses, including t-test values and p-values, indicate non-significant differences in means among centers. Importantly, all recorded doses adhere to the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) limits, affirming a commitment to maintaining radiation exposure within globally recognized safety thresholds. This comprehensive evaluation provides valuable insights into the health impact of ionizing radiation on professional radiation workers in the selected tertiary hospitals in South Southern Nigeria.