Radiation accidents in a developing country: the Nigerian experience

A 32 year old Nigerian industrial radiographer was accidentally over-exposed to gamma rays while using a faulty gamma ray equipment with an iridium 192 source to take radiographs of oil pipe joints for the detection of cracks. He presented with clinical signs and symptoms of radiation over-exposure. When results of personnel monitoring confirmed radiation over-exposure this patient was immediately relieved of his job by his employers without any explanation or compensation. His condition was managed conservatively and he is being followed up indefinitely in the clinic. This paper as well discusses the management of acute radiation syndromes and the implications of the presently uncontrolled use of ionizing radiation in Nigeria.