Characterization and minimization of extremity doses during 32P metabolic cell labeling

A study was performed to characterize hand extremity doses received by a laboratory researcher performing a metabolic cell labeling procedure using 10-cm-diameter cell culture dishes containing GBq amounts of 32P-orthophosphate. Specifically, the optimal location for placement of thermoluminescent dosimeters on the extremities was determined as was the phase (time frame) during the cell labeling procedure when the highest dose was received. The cell labeling procedure was divided into four phases. Thermoluminescent dosimeters were placed on three fingers of each hand at the start of each phase and after the completion of that phase, collected, and sent to the processor. It was determined that in the case of this right-handed worker, the left-hand index finger should be used for determining the maximum extremity dose. The time frame during which the highest extremity dose was received was the cell lysis phase. Acrylic shielding was fabricated, which significantly reduced worker extremity dose.