ANALYSIS OF THE RADIOLOGICAL SAFETY CONTROL LEVEL VERSUS THE EXPOSURE OF RADIATION WORKERS IN SOUTH KOREA FROM 2008–17

Abstract

Abstract In this study, the radiation exposure of workers at workplaces registered and licensed between 2008 and 2017 for the production/sale/use of radioactive isotopes (RI) and radioactive generators (RG) was analysed to evaluate the quality of radiation safety management controls in use. The number of facilities using RIs increased by ~26% from 2008 to 2017 whereas the number of facilities using RGs increased by ~166% over the same period. There were 33 029 radiation workers in all fields in 2008, and the number increased by ~32% to 43 467 by 2017. However, the collective effective dose of radiation received by workers decreased in all industries except for those working in nuclear power plants. In other words, the quality of radiation safety management improved over that same time period due to the systematic, continuous introduction of safety mechanisms by the regulatory authority.