Recovered water - H₂¹⁸O from the ¹⁸F[FDG] production as liquid radioactive waste

In this study, ten recovered water samples were analysed using gamma spectrometry and Liquid Scintillation Counting techniques for identification of radioactive impurities (quality and quantity) and for radioactive waste qualifications. The presence of several radioactive isotopes of ³H, ^56,57Co ⁵²Mn in the recovered [¹⁸O] water irradiated with 11 MeV protons used to produce [¹⁸F] fluoride by the ¹⁸O(p,n)¹⁸F reaction has been confirmed. Radioactive impurities were generated directly in enriched water or washed out from activated Havar foil, or tantalum body target material. The highest impact on the qualification of the recovered water remains after the production as a radioactive waste has ⁵⁶Co. The highest activity concentration of about 0.1 GBq/ml has been detected in the case of tritium ³H. All ten samples were qualified as transitional, low-level radioactive wastes.