The study of shielding design parameter (thickness) in two health tertiary institutions in Katsina Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

The safety of the patient is of highest importance during diagnostic imaging which uses various forms of ionizing radiations mainly photons (x-rays and gamma rays). Both the patient and personnel working in the diagnostic facility may be exposed to unintentional source of radiations during diagnostic imaging. This study was conducted at the Federal Medical Center, Katsina and General Amadi Rimi Specialist Hospital, Katsina to assess the shielding adequacy of the barriers required to attenuate the intensity of X-ray to recommended limit. The National Council on Radiation Protection and measurement (NCRP), Report No 147 was used to evaluate the shielding barriers of the radiographic rooms in the two facilities. Calculation was done using the number of patients (N), occupancy factor (T), Design dose limit (P) and the distance to the occupied area (controlled and uncontrolled area). The result shows that the room area meets the recommendation of Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Agency (NNRA) of at least 16 m² and the shielding requirement for the primary barrier is slightly higher than secondary barrier of each room. The calculated shielding requirement for the primary barrier of room I, room II and room III of Federal Medical Center, Katsina and room IV of General Amadi Rimi Specialist Hospital, Katsina are 0.59 mm, 0.46 mm, 0.36 mm and 0.48 mm respectively. The maximum calculated shielding requirement for the secondary barriers in room I, room II, and room III of Federal Medical Center, Katsina and room IV of General Amadi Rimi Specialist Hospital, Katsina are 0.55 mm, 0.48 mm, 0.63 mm and 0.48 mm respectively. The ratio of the calculated to current material thickness is less than one (<1) for all the rooms.This indicates that the shielding barriers in the facilities are adequate. Hence, can accommodate future increase in the number of patients examined in the diagnostic rooms per week.