RADIATION PROTECTION IN THE RELEASE OF PATIENTS RECEIVING 131I TREATMENT

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Medicine
• Radiological Protection

Background:

• Iodine-131 (131I) is used to treat hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer.
• Establishing radiation safety protocols is crucial for patient release after 131I therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct radiation measurements to inform radiation protection decisions for patients receiving 131I treatment in Sudan.
• To assess radiation dose rates and contamination levels to ensure safe patient release and provide necessary instructions.

Main Methods:

• Measurements of air-absorbed dose rates at 1 meter from patients undergoing 131I treatment.
• Assessment of surface contamination levels on patients' clothing, toilets, and beds.
• Calculation of patient release times based on established radiation safety criteria.

Main Results:

• For hyperthyroidism patients, administered 131I activity averaged 817.8 MBq, with dose rates up to 66 μGy h-1.
• For thyroid cancer patients, administered 131I activity averaged 4816.2 MBq, with dose rates up to 55 μSv h-1.
• Highest average contamination was found on clothes (11.0 Bq cm-2), followed by toilets (6.6 Bq cm-2).

Conclusions:

• Estimated patient release times met radiation safety criteria.
• Recommendations for precautionary measures were provided to limit radiation exposure for family members and coworkers.