Monte Carlo simulation of beta particle-induced bremsstrahlung doses

It is well known that protection from the external irradiation produced by beta emitters is simpler than the corresponding shielding of radioactive sources that emit gamma radiation. This is caused by the relatively strong absorption (i.e. short range) of electrons in different materials. However, for strong beta sources specific attention should be paid to the bremsstrahlung radiation induced in the source encapsulation (matrix), especially for emitters with relatively high beta-endpoint energy (1 MeV) that are frequently used in nuclear medicine. In the present work, the bremsstrahlung spectra produced in various materials by the following beta emitters, Sr-90 (together with its daughter Y-90), P-32 and Bi-210, were investigated by Monte Carlo simulations using Geant4 software. In these simulations, it is supposed that the point radioactive sources are surrounded by cylindrically shaped capsules made from different materials: Pb, Cu, Al, glass and plastic. For the case of Y-90(Sr-90) in cylindrical lead and aluminum capsules, the dimensions of these capsules have also been varied. The absorbed dose rates from bremsstrahlung radiation were calculated for cases where the encapsulated point source is placed at a distance of 30 mm from the surface of a water cylinder with a mass of 75 kg (approximately representing the human body). The bremsstrahlung dose rate and bremsstrahlung spectrum from the Y-90(Sr-90) point source encapsulated in an Al capsule were also measured experimentally and compared with the corresponding simulation results. In addition, the bremsstrahlung radiation risk for medical staff in therapies using Y-90 was considered in simulations, relating to finger dose as well as whole-body dose during preparation and injection of this radioisotope. The corresponding annual doses were obtained for medical workers for specified numbers of Y-90 applications to patients.