South Korean healthcare workers' exposure to radiation has been halved over the past 10 years thanks to stringent evaluations and closer monitoring of risks, government data showed Tuesday.

According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average amount of radiation that a local healthcare worker was exposed to in 2014 stood at 0.41 millisievert, down 57.7 percent from 0.97 mSv in 2004.

The numbers come from data compiled by the KCDC which keeps special tabs on local radiographers, doctors, dentists and radiologists who work with X-ray machines and other types of diagnostic equipment that emits radiation on a regular basis.

The latest findings showed local healthcare workers met recommendations set by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. The organization calls for annual exposure levels to be maintained below 50 mSv per year.

The latest report showed that while the overall average was below the ICRP recommendation mark, exposure differed by profession.

The exposure level of radiographers, who have to deal with X-ray machines, reached a relatively high 0.85 mSv, while numbers for doctors and radiologist was much lower at 0.34 mSv and 0.31 mSv, respectively.

"Closer attention paid by medical institutions and better monitoring systems are contributing to people being placed at less risk from excessive radiation," the KCDC said.

It, however, stressed there is plenty of room for improvement, especially since the number of medical experts who have to deal diagnostic equipment is on the rise following greater public demand for medical checkups.

In 2014, there were 71,096 people engaged in radiology-related work, up 7.8 percent from the year before. Of these 22,419 were radiographers accounting for 31.5 percent of the total last year, data showed. (Yonhap)