Estimate of possible radioactive contamination of workers’ hands at nuclear medicine departments

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F68407700%3A21460%2F18%3A00326050" target="_blank" >RIV/68407700:21460/18:00326050 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00259-018-4148-3" target="_blank" >http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00259-018-4148-3</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00259-018-4148-3" target="_blank" >10.1007/s00259-018-4148-3</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Estimate of possible radioactive contamination of workers’ hands at nuclear medicine departments

Original language description

The aim of the paper is to find out the likely contamination of hands during the mapping of dose distribution on hands. The workers from PET departments using radiopharmaceuticals labeled with F-18, C-11, Ga-68 and department engaged in the I-131 therapy in Czech Republic and Slovakia have participated. During the measurement the workers wore gloves with TLDs in 12 positions. In total, 126 measurements were accomplished. The possible contamination was estimated based on the TLD readings in 12 positions of each hand. The unexpected increase (more than 5 times) in the exposure detected by a TLD in a specific location was most probably due to the possible contamination. Based on the results obtained up to now, the suspected possible contamination was most frequently observed on the right hand. The preliminary results suggest that in about 5 % of cases the suspected possible contamination may come from positron radiopharmaceuticals while in around 10 % cases possible contamination may result from handling with I-131I solution. In some cases, the contamination was estimated at several locations of one hand, or even on both hands. The subsequently observed contamination may account for a significant portion of the annual limit when considering the incidence of such cases and the number of patients (or activity handling). In one case, the possible local contamination was estimated to reach up to 200 mSv/GBq, which may pose a risk of exceeding the relevant annual does limit. The preliminary results have shown that there may exist situations of possible contamination, which the workers are probably not aware of. From the measurements completed so far, where the possible contamination has been additionally estimated, it is possible to outline the importance of regular examinations aimed not as to the potential contamination of the gloves but also in any suspected situations which may lead to the contamination

Czech name

—

Czech description

—

Type

O - Miscellaneous

CEP classification

—

OECD FORD branch

30305 - Occupational health

Project

—

Continuities

S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach

Publication year

2018

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů