asked the Minister for Health the average annual number of persons who avail of the national service for monitoring for radioactivity; the estimated number of people in the State who are at risk from sources of radiation; and what are such sources.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Radiation Monitoring Service.
71.
Mr. O'Malley
The average annual number of persons who avail of the national radiation monitoring service operated by St. Luke's Hospital, Dublin, is 450. The main sources of radiation are: (i) diagnostic X-ray equipment in hospitals; (ii) X-ray equipment used by private doctors and dentists; (iii) radiotherapy procedures, including a cobalt unit and radioactive isotopes used in the specialised cancer hospitals; and (iv) a small number of industrial sources.
It is not possible to state precisely the total number of persons in the State concerned in the use of radioactive equipment and materials, but all hospitals with such equipment, etc., avail of the national monitoring service with the exception of one, which has a service of its own.