Review of Occupational Radiation Monitoring in Bangladesh: Insights from Selected Studies

Monitoring occupational radiation exposure is crucial to ensuring the safety of workers handling ionizing radiation. This review consolidates findings from multiple studies conducted in Bangladesh, focusing on occupational radiation exposure in industrial radiography, diagnostic radiology, radiotherapy, and nuclear medicine. The analysis examines key trends, methodologies, and regulatory compliance to assess the effectiveness of radiation protection practices. The reviewed studies indicate that the average annual effective dose among occupationally exposed workers ranged from 0.017 to 0.74 mSv, with sector-specific variations: diagnostic radiology (0.07–0.1702 mSv), interventional cardiology (0.03 - 0.74 mSv), radiotherapy (0.017-0.1112 mSv), nuclear medicine (0.13–0.27 mSv), and industrial radiography (0.2-0.4 mSv) which are well below than the annual average dose limit prescribed by national regulation and international organizations like the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). This review highlights notable improvements in radiation protection practices over the years, as reflected in the declining trends of average annual effective dose across various occupational groups. Improvements in monitoring systems, strengthened regulatory frameworks and enhanced safety training have contributed to a declining trend in annual radiation doses. However, some occupational groups, particularly in industrial radiography and interventional cardiology, have recorded occasional high-dose exposures, emphasizing the need for continued improvements in safety training, equipment handling, and regulatory enforcement. This review underscores the importance of maintaining robust radiation safety measures in Bangladesh and provides recommendations for future enhancements in occupational radiation protection.