title: Assessment of exposure of workers to ionizing radiation from radioiodine and technetium in nuclear medicine departmental facilities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Due to its use of ionising radiation, the field of nuclear medicine is a unique and significant part of medical diagnostics and patient treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the internal exposure of nuclear medicine employees to radioiodine 131I and technetium 99mTc as well as to assess the external exposure doses.
  
  
  METHODS
  The radioiodine 131I and technetium 99mTc contents in the thyroid of staff members (about 100 persons) dealing with these radionuclides have been measured in four departments of nuclear medicine. The measurements were conducted with a portable detection unit for in situ measurements of radioiodine and technetium. High sensitivity environmental thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD) were used to measure the external exposure dose.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average values and ranges of radioiodine 131I activity measured in the thyroids of all of the medical units' employees were: 83 Bq (range: 70-250 Bq), 280 Bq (range: 70-4000 Bq), 275 Bq (range: 70-1000 Bq) for technical staff, nuclear medicine staff and hospital services staff, respectively. The mean value of technetium 99mTc content in the thyroids of nuclear medicine staff was approximately 1500 Bq (range: 50--1800 Bq). External exposure dose rates were in the range of 0.5-10 microGy/h.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The calculated average effective dose for particular person caused by the inhalation of radioiodine 131I is below 5% of 20 mSv/year (occupational exposure limit).
authors: Department of Dose Control and Calibration, Central Laboratory for Radiological Protection, Warszawa, Poland. krajewska@clor.waw.pl
authors: Grazyna
authors: G
authors: Krajewska
authors: Department of Radiation Hygiene and Radiobiology, National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene, Warszawa, Poland.
authors: Krzysztof A
authors: KA
authors: Pachocki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D009683:Nuclear Medicine; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013667:Technetium / Q000032:analysis*; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000737:chemistry*; D017132:Workplace
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D013667:Technetium