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Population exposure from nuclear medicine procedures: measurement data.
A R Benedetto1, T W Dziuk, M L Nusynowitz
1Department of Radiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77550.
Health Physics
|November 1, 1989
Summary
Public radiation burden from nuclear medicine studies is minimal. Thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) chips and ionization chambers confirmed low doses for patients and co-workers, showing negligible per capita exposure from these procedures.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Nuclear Medicine
- Radiation Dosimetry
Background:
- Nuclear medicine procedures utilize radiopharmaceuticals, necessitating an understanding of associated radiation exposure.
- Estimating public radiation burden is crucial for comprehensive risk assessment in healthcare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the radiation dose to the public from common nuclear medicine studies.
- To assess radiation exposure for co-workers and family members of patients undergoing these procedures.
Main Methods:
- Thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) chips were used to measure patient abdominal surface radiation exposure over 24 hours.
- Ionization chamber survey meters performed abdominal skin surface exposure rate measurements at various time points.
- Doses were compared with MIRD (Medical Internal Radiation Dose) calculated values.
Main Results:
- Excellent correlation was observed between TLD measurements, integrated exposure rates, and ionization chamber readings.
- TLD and ionization chamber measurements showed strong agreement with MIRD calculated doses.
- Postulated scenarios for co-worker and family exposure resulted in doses of 7-20 μSv.
- Calculated per capita population exposure from nuclear medicine procedures was approximately 0.4 μSv.
Conclusions:
- Nuclear medicine studies result in a negligible radiation burden to the public.
- Measured doses align well with calculated doses, validating dosimetry methods.
- The per capita dose from these procedures is significantly lower than natural background radiation and total medical irradiation.