Despite repeated requests from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) to set up a Directorate of Radiation Safety (DRS) to monitor the safety and efficacy of the X-ray and CT scan centres operating in states, none of State Governments barring Kerala has initiated any steps in this regard.

Kerala is the only state to set up a full-fledged DRS in the country and only 8-10 states have responded positively to the directive. Presently, AERB, the sole authority to enforce the regulatory requirements for the safe use of radiation and isotopes throughout the country, is conducting inspections in various states to check whether the doses of radiation used in X-ray and CT scans are within the limits prescribed by international standards. AERB also monitors whether the hospital authorities are keeping reasonable safety standards. If the units are found to flout the rules, AERB will warn the hospitals authorities to rectify the defects. Violators will be served with show-cause notice and AERB has powers to cancel the authorisation issued to the user for handling radiation sources.

Since AERB is not adequately equipped to conduct the inspections in the whole country, the agency had asked the State Governments to appoint enough staff to carry out inspections in their states and set up the Directorate of Radiation Safety (DRS).

“It is impossible to conduct the inspections of the thousands of x-ray and CT scan units in the country by AERB itself. Thus we asked the State Governments to support the process by setting up the Directorate of Radiation Safety (DRS) in their states with adequate staff to hold the inspections. Around 8-10 states have responded positively while others have not responded yet,” Dr Om Pal Singh, Secretary, AERB told Pharmabiz.

The delay for setting up DRS by State Governments is reported to be due to lack of funds and qualified staff. The staff must be a physician with one-year diploma in radiation physics, conducted by AERB with the support of BARC.

“We conducted a workshop in Mumbai last month to create awareness on the issue, participated by various state officials and representatives from different parts of the country. Around 10 states including Goa, Chatisgarh, Punjab and Haryana have given assurance for setting up DRS. Despite repeated requests a number of states are showing lukewarm interest in the matter. Currently, Kerala is the only state having its own DRS working in a full-fledged manner,” said S P Agarwal, head, radiological safety division, AERB.

The Government of Kerala had set up Directorate of Radiation Safety, which started functioning in 1998 and is striving to implement Radiation Protection Rules 1971, Government of India all over the state.

In 2001, the Supreme Court had issued notices to the Centre, states, director general of health services (DGHS) and AERB on a PIL submitted by J P Sharma from Delhi alleging flagrant violation of the safety code on radiation from x-ray machines jeopardising public health. The petitioner pointed out AERB had on December 13, 1986 issued safety code with regard to medical diagnostic x-ray equipment and installations and followed it up with detailed safety measures required to be taken in regard to these machines. He said due to the wilful breach of these norms by various hospitals and diagnostic clinics, the public is suffering from hazards of emission of radiation from the x-ray machines installed throughout the country. The case is still pending in the court.

The functioning of DRS includes identification of existing X-ray installation; Visit by technical assistants to get preliminary information about the machine, owner, staff, safety aspects etc.; Visit by radiological safety inspectors and to identify drawbacks in radiological safety aspects; Directions to the proprietor to effect modification; Rechecking and re-evaluation; Recommend appropriate action in case of non-compliance; Complete quality assurance; Approval by DRS and finally by AERB after ascertaining that all AERB guidelines are satisfied; Annual quality assurance check up to ensure continuance of compliance with AERB guidelines; Inspecting proposed site for new installations; Give necessary clearance for installation; Carrying out periodical workshops and refresher course for staff in DRS; Providing all necessary advice and guidance to all new / proposed users of radiological installations; Conduct of awareness meetings for the benefit of professionals and public; Radiation safety related research programmes.