Despite being one of the biggest medical institutes in the state, Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals has failed to offer proper protection to students from radiation
Despite being one of the biggest medical institutes in the state, Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group of Hospitals has failed to offer proper protection to students from radiation. According to an RTI application filed by an alumnus of the hospital, the Thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD)— a radiation detection device — has not been provided to radiology students for the past three months. The badges are necessary to measure high radiation exposure, which can cause cancer.
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The TLD badge is necessary to measure exposure to radiation
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) secretary Swapnesh Kumar Malhotra said, “It’s essential for anyone working in radiology department to use TLD. It records the amount of radiation and ensures safety.”
Students, meanwhile, are living in fear of the long-term consequences of such exposure to radiation. A radiology student said, “Students who conduct imaging tests such as CT scan, sonography and X-ray are regularly exposed to these harmful radiations. Without TLD, we won’t know how much it’s affecting us.”
Side effects
Indian Radiological and Imaging Association secretary Dr Jignesh Thakkar said, “If the badge reports high radiation, the person exposed to it is sent on leave for 2-3 days. Regular exposure to such rays can cause cancer and blindness, and even affect fertility.”
Blame game
Dr Meenakshi Wahane Gajbhiye, HOD of radiology department of the college, blames AERB, but the latter claims that it is just a regulatory body and is not responsible for providing TLD. “We conduct regular inspections to ensure hospitals give TLD badges to all its students and employees, as failure to do so is a punishable offence. The first warning is a notice, but if the hospital ignores it, it can be asked to shut shop,” said Dr Sonawane, head of radiological safety division, AERB.
Why’s TLD pivotal?
Radiologists use the badge to keep a tab on the radiation levels they are exposed to. Rays stimulate the electrons in it and the energy gets stored in the badge.
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