Background:
Exposure to ionizing radiation has harmful health effects. Research shows that people spend more their time indoors than outdoors. Therefore, the indoor background ionizing radiation can pose a noticeable health risk.
Objectives:
Since it is well established that ionizing radiation can lead to serious health problems, the present study aimed to evaluate the level of ionizing radiation in the background environment in radiological centers in Ahvaz, Iran.
Methods:
The evaluation of indoor and outdoor background ionizing radiation levels was carried out by using the calibrated digital Geiger-Muller counter (S.E. International Inc., USA) in five radiography centers. The background radiation was measured both indoor and outdoor of the selected radiology centers in four locations. The measured locations included behind the door of the X-ray room, outdoor, waiting room for the people, and the reception section in each center. The measurements were done with a device held one meter above the floor.
Results:
The indoor radiation levels were 0.13 ± 0.004, 0.11 ± 0.004, 0.13 ± 0.004, 0.16 ± 0.007, and 0.16 ± 0.006 µSv/h for centers a, b, c, d, and e, respectively, and the outdoor radiation levels were 0.12 ± 0.02, 0.11 ± 0.01, 0.10 ± 0.00, 0.12 ± 0.01, and 0.13 ± 0.00 µSv/h, respectively.
Conclusions:
The mean equivalent dose in this study was lower than the standard level (1 mSv/y); therefore, the radiology centers were safe.
 Keywords:Ionizing Radiation; Radiography Center; Background Radiation