MEASUREMENT OF EXTREMITIES DOSES TO OCCUPATIONAL WORKERS BY USING RING DOSIMETERS

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Radioactive isotopes are used in nuclear medicine for diagnostic as well as therapeutic purpose. The procedures adopted in nuclear medicine involve handling of unsealed radionuclides and may have direct contact of fingers with unshielded vials and syringes. It is the possibility of extremities contamination while handling unsealed radioactive sources due to which occupational workers gets unwanted radiation exposure. In this regard, a study was conducted in nuclear medicine department of AECH-NORI, Islamabad to evaluate the extremities exposure of radiation workers while performing different diagnostic and treatment procedures.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

During the study period approximately 90-95% procedures were performed with^99mTc, 5-6% by using¹³¹I, 1% with²⁰¹Tl and 0.25-0.5 % for MIBG. Eight radiation workers (seven nuclear medicine technologists and one radio pharmacist) participated in study and extremity doses were evaluated at Hp(0.07). TLD based ring dosimeters were used to measure the occupational exposure.

RESULTS

The measured minimum, maximum and average doses were found 9.24 mSv/y, 90.0 mSv/y and 37.2 mSv/y for the technologists of nuclear medicine department. The minimum, maximum and average doses for radio pharmacist were found to be 95.52 mSv/y, 312.96 mSv/y and 204 mSv/y, respectively.

CONCLUSION

All eight workers were right handed and found that right hand of six workers exposed more than the left hand. The measured results clearly show that the annual extremity doses of radiation workers are within the recommended limits (500 mSv/y) [1].

Keywords: Occupational Exposure, Unsealed radioactive sources, Extremity, Nuclear Medicine, Contamination, Ionizing radiation