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Exposure to fingers while handling a solvent extraction-type technetium-99m generator
Summary
Technicians handling Technetium-99m (99mTc) from solvent extraction generators in India face high finger radiation exposure. However, current measurements indicate these exposures remain within permissible safety limits for nuclear medicine professionals.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Medicine
- Radiation Safety
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Technetium-99m (99mTc) is crucial for diagnostic nuclear medicine procedures.
- Indian nuclear medicine centers predominantly use solvent extraction generators for 99mTc.
- Solvent extraction generators involve longer 99mTc separation times, increasing potential radiation exposure for technicians compared to column-type generators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure and assess the radiation exposure to the fingers of technicians handling 99mTc.
- To evaluate the safety of current practices in Indian nuclear medicine centers using solvent extraction generators.
Main Methods:
- Radiation exposure measurements were conducted on 16 workers.
- Measurements were performed at seven major nuclear medicine centers across India.
- Exposure was quantified per megabecquerel (MBq) of 99mTc extracted.
Main Results:
- The maximum finger exposure per MBq of 99mTc extracted ranged from 1.46 x 10^-9 to 22.38 x 10^-9 C/kg.
- Despite the longer procedure, measured finger exposures were found to be within permissible occupational limits.
Conclusions:
- Technicians in Indian nuclear medicine centers using solvent extraction 99mTc generators experience significant finger radiation exposure.
- Current occupational workload and practices result in radiation exposures that are within established safety standards.