Issn Print: 0143-3636

Publication Date: 2007/03/01


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49 Increase in exposure levels to radiopharmacy staff with the expansion of Tc-99m-sestamibi production

H.S. Grimes; J.R. Ballinger; K.L. Adamson

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Author Information: Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

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Excerpt

Background Guy's Hospital radiopharmacy propose to introduce the production of Tc-99m-Sestamibi for myocardial perfusion imaging. This involves heating a maximum of 3 vials containing 11-12GBq of Tc-99m in a water bath for 10 min. The investigation aims to assess dose rates to radiopharmacy staff during the boiling procedure to determine if the water bath shielding is acceptable.
Method 11.5GBq of Tc-99m was placed in the water bath and dose rates from the 3 working positions in the room were measured: these corresponded to where staff members would be working during the boiling procedure. The water bath is adjacent to a wall adjoining another room in use during production: dose rates here were also measured. The estimated increase in dose per month was calculated and compared to the average monthly dose recorded on whole body film badges.
Results The monthly dose would increase by 39%, 37% and 13% for each of the three positions: this was unacceptable. Additional lead shielding was placed around the water bath and new measurements were made: the increase in monthly dose at each position was 18%, 11% and 3%.
Conclusions The additional shielding did not reduce dose levels as much as expected. A long term solution would be custom lead shielding.
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