title: Survey of 99mTc contamination of laboratory personnel: its degree and routes.
abstract: Internal contamination of personnel preparing 99mTc labeled radiopharmaceuticals was confirmed by detection of radioactivity in urine. Observation of work habits, whole-body scanner studies, nose swabs, and wipe tests in the hot laboratory demonstrated that: (a) contamination of the laboratory coat occurred during radiopharmaceutical preparation; (b) the degree of personnel contamination appeared to be higher among the short in stature; and (c) no gross evidence was found to indicate that internal contamination took place through an air-borne route. While the calculated internal radiation dose is minimal, even this could be avoided if particular precautionary practices are observed.
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D009683:Nuclear Medicine; D009787:Occupational Medicine; D011481:Protective Clothing; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods; D013667:Technetium
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D013667:Technetium