Radiation Safety Measures in Nuclear Medicine

The outline is as fellow:
-Personal Radiation Monitoring.
-Radiation Monitoring with Radioactive Iodine.
-Spill in Nuclear Medicine.
-Infiltrated Radiopharmaceuticle Injections.
-Side effects and Anaphylaxis with radioactive Materials.

1. Presentation Title
15 DECEMBER, 2021
Presenter Name
More Data
Radiation Safety Measures
In Nuclear Medicine

2. OUTLINES:
1.Personal Radiation Monitoring.
2.Radiation Monitoring with Radioactive Iodine .
3.Spill in Nuclear Medicine .
4.Infiltrated Radiopharmaceuticals Injections.
5.Side effects and Anaphylaxis with Radioactive Materials .

3. Personal Radiation Monitoring.
General Rules to Decrease Radiation Exposure are the following
Time , Distance, Shielding, and amount of injected activity.
How you apply these rules ?
Decrease the time of exposure , Increase your distance , use proper
shielding

4. •In NM all workers should wear Personal Radiation Detectors .
•Ex :TLD badge, TLD ring , pocket dosimeters, etc.
•Thermoluminescentdosimeter (TLD) is a passive radiation detection
device that is used for personal dose monitoring or to measure
radiation dose.
•Formed of :Inorganic chip that held in a plastic holder.
Goel A, WilczekM, Murphy A, et al. Thermoluminescentdosimeter.

5. •When the radiation falls on TLD, the electrons are excited and store
energy.
•Readings can be acquired bimonthly, quarterly or biannual.
•The TLD reader consists of a heater.
•On getting heated, the excited electrons again come back to the
ground state and emit light which is then read by a photomultiplier .
•The light output is proportional to the radiation exposure .
Goel A, WilczekM, Murphy A, et al. Thermoluminescentdosimeter.

6. Advantages and Disadvantages of TLD
•Advantages:
1.Can be reused .
2.Not affected by light ,temperature or humidity .
•Disadvantages :
1.Expensive.
2.not for permanent recording.

7. Radiation Monitoring with Radioactive Iodine
•NEWs who are exposed to Liquid radioactive iodine (which is volatile),
must be screened for presence of radioactive iodine in the thyroid
gland.
•This step is essentialto confirm that exposure is ALARA.

8. •As per Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Guidelines the
following should be performed :
Thyroid screening must be done within 5 days following exposure if
✓Used at a single time a quantity of volatile I-125 or I-131 (within 24hr)
exceeding: 2 MBq in an open room OR 200 MBq in a fume hood OR
20,000 MBq in a glove box.
✓were involved in a spill > 2 MBq of I-125 or I-131.
✓if I-125 or I-131 external contamination was detected on you.
✓worked within 2 meters of a person whose screening results are > 1
kBq.
✓A direct measurement of thyroid is done with a thyroid probe that
can detect 1 kBqof I-125 or I-131.

9. •For Results Interpretation please review the CNSC guidelines or follow
the local regulatory guidelines that is applicable in your country .

10. Spill in Nuclear Medicine .
•What is Exemption Quantity (EQ):
▪The exemption quantity refers to a specific amount of radioactive
material that can be handled or used without requiring a license or
special regulatory controls.
▪This limit is set by regulatory Authorities to ensure safety and
minimize the risks associated with radioactive materials.

11. ▪The exemption quantity can vary depending on the type of
radioactive isotope being used and the country's regulations.
▪If the activity of the radioactive material is below this threshold, it
may be exempt from strict regulatory oversight or reporting
requirements.
▪This is designed to facilitate research and medical applications while
still maintaining safety standards.

12. •For accurate and detailed information on exemption quantities, it’s
essential to refer to the regulations specific to your country or the
guidelines provided by regulatory authorities, such as theNuclear
Regulatory Commission (NRC) in the United States or the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) internationally.

13. Dealing with Spills in Nuclear Medicine
1.Minor spill < 100 EQ, usually in procedures room.
2.Major spill > 100 EQ, or contamination of personnel, or release of
volatile material.

14. Minor Spill
1.Clear the Area appropriately and inform people that a spill has occurred.
2.Contain the spill and cover spill with absorbent material to prevent spread.
3.Wear protective clothing that includes gloves, foot covers, surgical scrubs.
4.Clean the spill and work from outside toward center.
5.Dispose carefully by placing the materials material into heavy plastic bag.
6.Do Wipe Test to check and repeat decontamination if necessary until monitoring meets criteria.
7.Always Check your hands, clothing and shoes for contamination.
8.Record the incident and your results.

15. Major Spill
1.Clear the area and ask anyone who are not involved in the spill to leave .
2.Contain the spill and cover spill with absorbent material leave fume hood running and do not attempt
to clean it up.
3.Close the room to secure the spill area and post warning signs.
4.Notify the RSO immediately
5.RSO will do the decontamination and cleaning .
6.Personnel decontamination is done by removing all clothes and flushing contaminated skin with warm
water and mild soap.
7.RSO will bring emergency cart, and will post radiation warning signs.
8.RSO should determine exposure rate by survey meter
9.RSO must notify the regulatory Authorities .

16. Infiltrated Radiopharmaceuticals Injections
▪Are we dealing with particulate emitters ? If No . Thera are no reasons
to panic as these tracers are cleared quickly.
▪If extravasation occurs with particulate emitters , The following
should be performed :
1.Elevation of extremity to the level of heart to promoting
absorption.
2.Topical application of heat will cause increased local blood flow and
increased absorption .
3.Dilution by injection of NS and attempts to aspirate .
4.ER referral with close observation for immediate complications
(Rare)

17. Side effects and Anaphylaxis with Radioactive
Materials
•Anaphylaxis with Radioactive Materials is extremely rare.
•Reported side effects are usually with particulate emitters .

18. Dealing with Anaphylaxis from Radionuclide:
1.Always start with ABCs
2.Activate the code
3.Epinephrine can reverse anaphylaxis and must be administered
immediately

19. Closing Statement
Thank you for your participation!
I hope this teaching material assists you in your daily practice as we
work together towards our noble goal of improving the lives of our
patients and our profession.
Best regards,
Miad