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The use of delay tanks in the management of radioactive waste from thyroid therapy
1Department of Clinical and Biomedical Physics, College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman. goddard@squ.edu.om or goddard@gto.net.om
Abstract:
An underground system of tanks was installed to delay the discharge of 131I waste from the thyroid therapy unit to the on-site sewage treatment plant. As a consequence, the level of radioactivity discharged to sewage has fallen by a factor of 530, reducing the radiation dose to hospital and auxiliary service staff. Cancer patients are no longer required to collect their urine, hence increasing the hygiene for all concerned. A model was developed of iodine waste which estimates the dose rate above the delay tanks and the activity of iodine discharged. The maximum effective dose to a member of the public due to the holding tanks is 40 microSv.year-1. There is now better management of the radioactive waste from the iodine therapy ward.