Evaluating the Radioactive Waste Produced per Patient by Radiopharmaceutical Sources and Measuring the Radioactive Contamination of Surfaces and Staff at the Bushehr Nuclear Medicine Department.

Abstract

Background: Nuclear medicine is an integral and developing field in diagnosing and treating diseases. Monitoring individuals' protection and radiation contamination in the workplace is vital for preserving working environments.

Objective: This study aimed to monitor the nuclear medicine department's personnel, environment, and wastes to determine the level of occupational radiation and environmental pollution in Bushehr's nuclear medicine department.

Material and methods: In this cross-sectional study, the initial activity of each radioisotope, radiopharmaceutical, and radioactive waste was measured using a "well counter" daily for three months. Three irradiators' absorbed doses were measured using a direct reading dosimeter. The contamination was determined using an indirect wipe test method on various surfaces. A Geiger Müller dosimeter was employed to examine personnel's hands, clothing, and footwear.

Results: The highest activity was observed in technetium waste (1118.31 mCi). Every irradiator received a lower absorption dose than the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) standard threshold. The majority of contamination was associated with the exercise test room (0.04 Bq/cm²) and its work surface (0.013 Bq/cm²), which were both below the threshold (0.5 Bq/cm²). Staff monitoring indicated that two nurses (10 and 11 individuals) had the highest contamination rate (23.7%).

Conclusion: Daily assessment of the type, activity, and method of radiopharmaceutical administration to the patient is advantageous for waste management. Surface contamination monitoring can significantly contribute to the estimation of the level of radiation pollution in the environment.