Radiation Exposure Environment and Occupational Health Protection Level in Medical Institutions in Xinjiang, China

Objective To investigate the health management status of radiation workers in medical institutions in Xinjiang, China, and to put forward corresponding health management and service measures.

Methods According to the China's National Occupational Radiological Diseases Monitoring Work Plan in 2019, this survey collected relevant information from radiological diagnosis and treatment institutions, radiological occupational health examination institutions, and 88 hospitals selected from 14 prefectures in Xinjiang, and a statistical analysis was conducted for investigation results.

Results A total of 1 314 radiological diagnosis and treatment institutions were investigated, with 7 255 radiation workers. The personal dose wearing rate was 96.14%, and the rate of occupational health examination was 94.96%. Among the 88 hospitals surveyed, there were 14 tertiary hospitals (15.91%), 38 secondary hospitals (43.19%), and 36 primary or unspecified hospitals (40.90%), and the prefecture-level coverage rate was 100%. There were more male radiation workers than female workers. As for protective equipment, lead rubber apron had the highest equipment rate, and lead-rubber gloves were of minimum number. There were significant differences in certificate holding rate, individual health care filing rate, individual dose monitoring rate, healthcare filing rate, and temporary radiation-free work rate among the hospitals at different levels (χ² were 42.97, 54.93, 42.02, 40.79, and 29.32, respectively, P < 0.001). Among the radiation workers undergoing examination in Xinjiang occupational health examination institutions, the abnormal rate of thyroid color Doppler ultrasound was 16.75%, the chromosomal aberration rate of peripheral blood lymphocytes was 0.02%, and the lens opacity rate was 0.47%.

Conclusion This investigation shows regional differences in individual dose and healthcare filing rates among radiation workers in hospitals of Xinjiang, suggesting that occupational health management and supervision should be further strengthened in related regions.