Fifteen years of radiological protection experience in a regional radiopharmacy.
Radiological protection experience in a regional radiopharmacy, currently handling 28.5 TBq (770 Ci) 99mTc y-1, is reviewed for the period 1974-1988. The results of personnel monitoring have shown a downward trend (by more than a factor of two) in radiation exposure of individual staff members, despite the workload per person [6000 GBq (162 Ci) 99mTc y-1] remaining virtually constant. Adequate staff selection and training contribute to the reduction in dose. A significant reduction in dose to the eyes was achieved by installing lead glass screens in the radiopharmacy work stations, and tungsten syringe shields reduced radiation dose to the hands. The use of commercially available kits for producing 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals, rather than relying on in-house preparations that require more operator handling, has also contributed to reduction in radiation exposure. Internal contamination of staff members with 125I was markedly reduced when the practice of sub-dispensing high-specific activity solutions of the radionuclide was discontinued. Annual doses from external radiation currently average less than 6 mSv (600 mrem) to the trunk, less than 7 mSv (700 mrem) to the eyes, and 50 mSv (5 rem) to the hands. Internal contamination of personnel with 125I, 131I, and 99mTc, as detected by thyroid and whole-body monitoring, contributed less than 65 mSv y-1 (6.5 rem) to the thyroid gland and less than 0.1 mSv y-1 (10 mrem) to the whole body.
Hilditch
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West of Scotland Health Boards, Department of Clinical Physics and Bio-Engineering, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Elliott
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Anstee
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Murray
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D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D009790:Occupations; D010594:Pharmacies; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection; D011874:Radiometry; D013667:Technetium
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D013667:Technetium