Radiation Exposure Doses of Radiation Workers Decreased by 63% Over the Past 20 Years

Average Annual Radiation Exposure Dose per Person Drops from 0.97 mSv to 0.36 mSv

The radiation exposure doses of radiation workers at medical institutions, such as radiologic technologists and doctors, have decreased by 63% over the past 20 years.

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced on September 23 that it has published the "2024 Annual Report on Personal Radiation Exposure Doses of Medical Institution Radiation Workers."

According to the report, there were 113,610 radiation workers last year, and the average annual exposure dose per person was 0.36 mSv (millisieverts). Compared to 2004, when statistical data was first released, the number of radiation workers has increased 3.4 times, while the exposure dose has decreased by 63%.

Looking at the past five years, the number of radiation workers has increased every year, rising by 16% compared to 2020, while the average annual exposure dose per person has decreased by 10%.

As of last year, radiologic technologists, doctors, and dentists accounted for more than 74% (84,469 people) of all radiation workers. By occupation, radiologic technologists had the highest exposure dose at 0.73 mSv, while nurses had the lowest at 0.13 mSv.

In addition, over the past five years, exposure doses for dentists, dental hygienists, and other occupations have increased, while exposure doses for doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, and medical assistants have slightly decreased. Meanwhile, radiologic technologists, who have a relatively higher exposure dose compared to other occupations, saw their exposure dose decrease by more than 15% during the same period.

While radiation is essential for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, unnecessary overexposure can cause serious side effects such as cancer. Therefore, radiation workers must follow safety guidelines, including properly wearing personal dosimeters and protective equipment such as radiation shielding aprons.

Lim Seungkwan, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, stated, "Creating a safe medical radiation environment requires improved awareness among radiation workers and strict adherence to safety management guidelines. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency will do its best to promote awareness and manage exposure doses among radiation workers."