Measurement of Scattered and Leakage Radiation in X-Ray Facilities from Selected Centers in Warri Metropolis, Delta State

Abstract

Measurements were carried out to determine the amount of scattered and leakage radiation in X-ray facilities in Warri metropolis. A total of twenty (20) Sampled X-ray units were studied. Exposures were made with film to focus distance (FFD) of 100 cm using mAs and kVp of routine abdominal radiological examinations. The results show that 85% of the investigated X-ray units have cathode side leakage radiation higher than the anode side leakages, 5% anode side leakage radiation higher than the side cathode leakages and 10% having similar anode and cathode side leakage radiation. The mean leakage from individual X-ray unit ranges from 0.21 mR/hr to 100.27 mR/hr with an overall mean value of 25.67 mR/hr. It was observed that only one unit, A₁₀, had mean leakage radiation value of 100.27 mR/hr which was above 100 mR/hrAmerican Association of Physicist Medicine (AAPM) set limit, this therefore means there is no probability that the general public may experience cancer from exposure to these machines or immediate radiological health hazard arising from the leakage radiation from these X-rays’ facilities.