The Ethiopian Radiation Protection Authority took steps to protect the public from radiation by enacting corrective measures on 58 institutions it announced.
The authority carried out inspections on the institutions in response to tips received from the public in Addis Ababa and other parts of the country according to Abdurezak Oumer, Director General of the Authority.
The authority has banned services that were delivered through equipment that emitted unacceptable levels of radioactivity he said.
ERPA specifically took measures on health institutions that were providing radiology services against the regulations set by the authority said Abdurezak. The institutions were initially reluctant to put the correctional measures into effect.The authority has been working to raise awareness through trainings offered to service providing institutions, relevant authorities, and other segments of society he explained.
The ERPA has carried out inspections on 375 institutions to assess their risk of emitting radiation said Atnatios Zeleke, Director of Inspection and Law Enforcement with the Authority.
In related news the authority has inspected the Tantalum products to be exported by the Ethiopian Mines Development SC on the potential radiation effect as per the request of the company said Abdurezak.
Inappropriate use of radiation and nuclear technology could have health consequences including bone and skin cancers amongst other complications. ERPA is working very hard to develop means of countering radiation and regulating activities that have the potential to emit dangerous levels of radiation he said.
Source: Ethiopian Press Agency
