British Closed Nuclear Centres Partnership



Kazakhstan, Kurchatov
Centre for Calibration of Medical X-Ray Equipment
Title

Centre for Calibration of Medical X-Ray Equipment.
Objectives

- To create centre for calibration of medical X-Ray equipment.

- To create 7 permanent jobs, including 4 former weapons specialists.
Summary

One of the most significant sources of radiation to the general population results from medical applications including X-rays. For example in the UK the average annual exposure to the population is 2,700 µSv per person with 410 µSv (15%) arising from medical applications. This exposure is second only to Radon exposure (from buildings) and comprises over 95% of the exposure from artificial sources. It is, therefore, clear that the radiation exposure from medical sources and, in particular, X-ray machines, needs to be optimised in order to provide sufficiently good quality images for diagnostic purposes while minimising the dose to patients. The Kazakhstan Government is finalising new legislation requiring providers of X-ray diagnostics to calibrate their equipment using an independent service provider. Hospitals, and other diagnostic centres are expected to be given a year to comply with this requirement. At the moment there are no providers of these calibration services in Kazakhstan and so IRSE is well placed to set up such a service. However, it does not have the capital required to purchase the necessary calibration equipment.

Jobs

7 new jobs (including 4 former weapons specialists) had been created by the end of Q 1, 2011-2012.
Cost

The DECC's contribution is £ 82,937.
Beneficiary

Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology NNC, Kurchatov