Assessment of Radiation Safety Measures in Select Radio-Diagnostic Centres in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The risks associated with x-rays in radiography are minimized through international best
practices of a regular program of quality control.
Objective: To assess the radiation safety precautions taken in five radio-diagnostic centers in Kaduna State,
Nigeria
Methodology: Measuring tapes, radiation meters and other accessories were used to assess for x-ray room
dimension, x-ray tube leakage, kVp accuracy, half value layer (HVL), mA linearity, optical and x-ray beam
congruence, beam alignment, and timer accuracy.
Results: Only one centre complied with the 16m2 minimum room dimension required for an x-ray room,
passed area monitoring without a compromise, and wholly complied with kVp error limit of 5%. Two
centres passed optical radiation beam congruence, beam alignment and timer accuracy tests. Three centres
passed mA linearity test. All the five centers passed the tube leakage test with none of the centers recording
up to 1mSv/h at 100cm from the tube surface.
Conclusion: X-ray machines used in Kaduna States are safe. However, there are uncoordinated attention to
other safety precautions. More efforts should be made to ensure that holistic regulatory standards are met in
order to consolidate radiation protection.