SHOULD WE BEGIN REGULATING THE RADIATION SAFETY OF CABINET X-RAY SYSTEMS?

Radiation measurements were conducted at 22 cabinet X-ray systems in Beijing, China, between 2015 and 2019. The median dose rates in the closed-drapes position were 0.11, 0.14, 0.12, 0.14, 0.34 and 0.17 μGy h-1 at the operator position and 5 cm from the surface of the left side, right side, top, entrance and exit, respectively. When a scattering object was passed through the entrance/exit (open-drapes position), the dose rates of eight systems ranged from 1.19 to 6.72 μGy h-1 (median: 3.75 μGy h-1). From 2015 to 2019, we monitored the personal dose equivalent Hp (10) 589 times. The personal dose equivalent of three workers exceeded 1 mSv year-1. However, the integrity of equipment shielding needs to be checked regularly to ensure safe operation. The regulation of radiation protection by employers, technician support institutes or government departments is thus warranted to limit the radiation exposure of workers and the public.