Medical workers’ radiation exposure increased during COVID-19, study finds

Researchers conducted retrospective trend analyses of occupational ionizing radiation exposure among medical workers from 2008 to 2024. They used multivariate logistic regression to assess potential risk factors and compared exposure doses before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The source does not report the number of workers or specific dose values.

Most subgroups showed no significant long-term change in exposure. However, average doses for most workers were significantly higher during the pandemic and declined significantly after lockdown measures were lifted. Across the full study population, male sex, age 40–50 years, doctoral degree, work in interventional medicine and being a doctor were identified as independent risk factors for average annual exposure doses.

The authors report that most annual doses remained below International Commission on Radiological Protection limits and relevant Chinese national standards. The findings indicate a pandemic-period change in occupational exposure, but the available report does not provide dose magnitudes or details needed to assess the size of the change. The study was supported by a Chongqing science and health project; the authors declared no competing interests.