Doses to nuclear technicians in a dedicated PET/CT centre utilising 18F fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Medicine
• Radiological Protection

Background:

• The introduction of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) isotopes in nuclear medicine increases occupational radiation exposure for technicians.
• The Norwegian Radiumhospital established Norway's first dedicated PET/CT center in 2005.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify radiation doses received by staff during various PET/CT procedures.
• To assess the need for dose-reducing measures for nuclear medicine technicians.

Main Methods:

• Dose mapping of staff during different working operations.
• Comparison of measured doses with established radiation safety limits.

Main Results:

• Technician radiation dose is approximately 20-25 nSv per injected MBq of Fluorine-18 (18F).
• Handling approximately 3000 patients annually at 350 MBq per patient approaches the dose limit.
• With <500 patients annually and staff rotation, individual doses remain below 2-3 mSv.

Conclusions:

• Occupational radiation doses for PET/CT technicians are manageable and unlikely to approach regulatory limits under current operational conditions.
• Current practices and patient volumes at the center do not necessitate immediate dose-reducing measures.
• Even significant increases in patient numbers are unlikely to pose a risk of exceeding ICRP dose limits.