RADIATION PROTECTION IN THE RELEASE OF PATIENTS RECEIVING 131I TREATMENT

Radiation measurements were made to support radiation protection decisions and instructions concerning the release of patients receiving 131I treatment in Sudan. In hyperthyroidism, administered activity ranged from 370 to 1110 MBq (average: 817.8 MBq), and air-absorbed dose rate at 1 m in front of the patients varied from 20 to 66 μGy h-1 (average: 47.0 μGy h-1). For thyroid cancer patients, the administered activity ranged from 3700 to 7400 MBq (average: 4816.2 MBq), and the air-absorbed dose rate at 1 m in front of the patients ranged from 3 to 55 μSv h-1 (average: 19.2 μSv h-1). On average, the contamination activity was highest in the patients' clothes: 11.0 Bq cm-2, followed by the toilet: 6.6 Bq cm-2 and the front bed: 2.9 Bq cm-2. The estimated release times from the confinement were well with the radiation safety criteria, whereas instruction are given concerning precaution times to limit radiation exposure to family members and co-worker.