Radiation Safety in PET Imaging :Radiation Safety in PET Imaging Presented by: Dailiuber Mendez


Objectives :Objectives Review cautions signs and labels Discuss the Do’s and Don’ts in PET radiation protection Examine the Receiving and Monitoring of Radioactive packages Discuss Radioactive waste disposal Explain how to clean up a radioactive spill


Caution Signs and Labels :Caution Signs and Labels The NRC requires that specific signs, symbols, and labels be used to warn people of possible danger from the presence of radiation These signs use magenta, purple, or black color on yellow background.


Unrestricted Area :Unrestricted Area Unrestricted area is an area in which an individual could receive from an external source a dose of 2mrem per hour and 50mrem per year


Caution : Radiation Area :Caution : Radiation Area This sign must be posted in radiation areas Radiation Area is an area where an individual could receive in excess of 5 mrem per hour at 30cm from a radiation source


Caution: High Radiation Area :Caution: High Radiation Area This sign must be posted in high-radiation areas High-Radiation areas is an area where an individual could receive from a radiation source a dose equivalent in excess of 100mrem in 1 hour at 30cm from the source


Very High-Radiation Area :Very High-Radiation Area Very High-Radiation area is an area where an individual could receive from radiation sources an absorbed dose in excess of 500rad in 1 hour at 1 meter from the source


Caution: Radioactive Material :Caution: Radioactive Material This sign is posted in areas or rooms in which 10 times the quantity of any licensed


Labels for Packages containing radioactive materials :Labels for Packages containing radioactive materials *No package shall exceed 200 mR/hr at the surface of the package or 10 mR/hr at 1 meter.


Do’s in Radiation Protection :Do’s in Radiation Protection Do wear lab coats and gloves when working with radioactive materials Do work in a ventilated fume hood while working with volatile material Do cover the trays and workbench with absorbent paper Do store and transport radioactive material in lead containers Do wear film badge while working in the radiation laboratory


Do’s in Radiation Protection 2 :Do’s in Radiation Protection 2 Do identify all radionuclide's and dates assay on the containers Do survey work areas for contamination as frequently as possible Do clean up spills promptly and survey the area after cleaning Do monitor hands and feet after the days work Do notify the radiation safety officer in the case of any major spill or other emergencies related radiation


Don’ts in Radiation Protection :Don’ts in Radiation Protection Do not eat, drink, or smoke in the radiation laboratory Do not apply make up Do not chew gum Do not pipette any radioactive material by mouth


Receiving and Monitoring Radioactive packages 1 :Receiving and Monitoring Radioactive packages 1 Individual user or institution are authorized to possess and use radioactive materials on issuance of a radioactive material licensed by the NRC or the Agreement State The suppliers require documentation of licensing of the user as to the types and limits of quantities of radioactive material before shipping


Receiving and Monitoring Radioactive packages 2 :Receiving and Monitoring Radioactive packages 2 Monitoring of packages is required if the packages are labeled as containing radioactive material to check if the packages are damage or leaking A radioactive shipment must be monitored as soon as possible after receipt but no later than 3 hours after delivery if the delivery takes placed during normal hours No later than 3 hour from the beginning of the next working day if it’s received after working hours


Receiving and Monitoring Radioactive packages 3 :Receiving and Monitoring Radioactive packages 3 Two types of monitoring are performed Survey for external exposure Wipe test for contamination on the surface of the packages resulting from potential leakage of liquid


Receiving and Monitoring Radioactive packages 4 :Receiving and Monitoring Radioactive packages 4 The survey reading for external exposure should not exceed 200mrem/hr on the surface of the container or 10mrem/hr at 1 meter from the surface of the container The wipe test is performed by swabbing and area of 300cm square of the package and should show less than the limits of 6600 dpm or 111Bq/300cm square


Receiving and Monitoring Radioactive packages 5 :Receiving and Monitoring Radioactive packages 5 If the reading of any of the test exceed these limits, the NRC and the final delivering carrier must be notified by telephone and telegram, to whether the shipment should be returned After all surveys are completed, the data must be entered into a receipt book


Receiving and Monitoring Radioactive packages 6 :Receiving and Monitoring Radioactive packages 6 The information logged in includes Dated of the receipt The manufacturer The lot number Name and quantity of the product Date and time of calibration Survey data along with name of the individual processing the receipt


Radioactive Waste Disposal :Radioactive Waste Disposal Radioactive wasted generated in PET labs are disposed of by the following methods Decay in storage Release into sewerage system Transfer to authorized recipient Other disposal methods approved by the NRC


Decay in Storage :Decay in Storage Radionuclides with half-lives less than 120 days usually are disposed of by this method These radionuclides are allowed to decay in storage and monitored before disposal If the radioactive of the waste cannot be distinguished from background, it can be disposed of in normal trash after removal or defacing of all radiation labels This method is most appropriate for short lived radionuclides such as Tc99m, I123, Tl201, In111, Ga67 and I131


Decay in Storage :Decay in Storage Radioactivities should be stored separately according to half-lives for convenience of timely disposal of each radionuclide


Release into Sewerage System :Release into Sewerage System The NRC permits radioactive disposal into the sewerage system provided the radioactive material is soluble or dispersible in water and the quantity disposed monthly does not exceed the maximum permissible limits Disposal depends on the total volume and flow rate of water used but is limited to 1 Ci (37GBq) of C14, 5 Ci (185GBq) of H3, and 1 Ci (37GBq) of all other radionuclides annually


Release into Sewerage System :Release into Sewerage System Excreta from humans undergoing medical undergoing medical diagnosis or treatment with radioactive material are exempted from these limitations Items contaminated with radioactive excreta are not exempted from these limitations To adopt this method of radioactive disposal, one must determine the total volume and the flow of sewer water in the institution and the number of users of a specific radionuclide so that for each individual user, a limit can be set for sewer disposal of the radionuclide in question


Transfer to Authorized Recipient :Transfer to Authorized Recipient This method of transfer to an authorized recipient is adopted for long-lived radionuclide ands usually involves transfer of radioactive wastes to authorized commercial firms that bury or incinerate at approved sites or facilities Although the columns of Mo99-Tc99m generators may be decayed to background for disposal to normal trash, a convenient method of disposing of the generator is to return them.


Other Disposal Methods :Other Disposal Methods A licensee may adopt methods of radioactive waste disposal different from those mentioned here, provided regulatory agency approval is obtained Impact of such disposal methods on environment, nearby facilities, and population is heavily weighed before approval. Incineration of solid radioactive waste and carcasses of research animals containing radioactive materials is allowed by this method


Other Disposal Methods :Other Disposal Methods Records must be maintained as to the date of storage and the amount and kind of activity stored in a waste disposal log book The stored packages must be labeled with pertinent information The date of disposal and the amount of disposed activity must also be recorded in the log book, along with the initials of the individual disposing of the waste


Other Disposal Methods :Other Disposal Methods


Cleaning up a Radioactive Spill :Cleaning up a Radioactive Spill Notify all persons in the area about the spill Prevent the spread of contamination by covering the spill with absorbent paper Restrict access to the area Wear protective glove, lab coat, shoe covers, and safety glasses Start at the edges of the contaminated area and work inward


Cleaning up a Radioactive Spill 2 :Cleaning up a Radioactive Spill 2 After removing the spill, soap and water or other decontamination product should be used to remove the remainder All the waste should be placed in the plastic bag (tag and sealed) Following clean up; the area must be surveyed to see if it is in the acceptable levels


Decontamination Kit :Decontamination Kit Protective clothing Plastic shoe covers Disposable gloves Absorbed pads Absorbed towels Soap Soft small brush Heavy duty plastic bag Decontamination Solution


Decontamination Kit 2 :Decontamination Kit 2 Tape (caution, radiation area) Eye wash Barriers or ropes for demarking and separating affected area Nail clippers Notebook, pen and labels


References :References Forshier, S. (2002). Essentials of Radiation Biology and Protection. Albany: Delmar. Saha, G. B. (2006). Physics and Radiobiology of Nuclear Medicine. Cleveland: Springer.


The End :The End