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IAEA INTERCOMPARISON EXERCISES OF THYROID MEASUREMENT: PERFORMANCE OF LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN LABORATORIES
B M Dantas1, A L A Dantas2, R Cruz-Suarez3
1Instituto de Radioproteção e Dosimetria, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil bmdantas@ird.gov.br bmdantas@gmail.com.
Insights
Intercomparison exercises for measuring Iodine-131 (131I) in the human thyroid have significantly improved nuclear medicine staff capabilities in Latin America. These exercises demonstrate the effectiveness of collaborative efforts in enhancing radiation safety and in vivo monitoring techniques across the region.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Medicine
- Radiation Protection
- In Vivo Monitoring
Background:
- Iodine-131 (131I) is a significant source of potential radionuclide intake for nuclear medicine staff in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Effective in vivo monitoring is crucial for ensuring the safety of personnel working with radioactive materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To disseminate and harmonize the technique for measuring 131I in the human thyroid across Latin America and the Caribbean.
- To assess the improvement in in vivo measurement capabilities through intercomparison exercises.
Main Methods:
- Organized three intercomparison exercises in 2005, 2009, and 2013.
- Exercises were conducted under IAEA technical cooperation projects RLA9049 and RLA9066.
- Participants included institutions from various countries in Latin America, increasing over time.
Main Results:
- The number of participating institutions grew from 9 to 20, representing an increase from 7 to 13 countries.
- Participants demonstrated significant improvement in their in vivo measurement techniques for 131I.
- In the 2013 exercise, all reporting laboratories achieved acceptable performance according to ISO criteria.
Conclusions:
- The intercomparison exercises have been beneficial in enhancing the region's capacity for in vivo monitoring of 131I.
- Harmonization and dissemination of measurement techniques improve radiation safety standards.
- Continued collaboration is recommended to maintain and further improve these vital monitoring capabilities.
Abstract:
(131)I is widely used in Latin America and Caribbean Region in the field of nuclear medicine and has been recognised as one of the main sources of potential intake of radionuclides by the staff. The In Vivo Monitoring laboratory of the Institute for Radiation Protection and Dosimetry (IRD-CNEN-Brazil) organised three intercomparison exercises (2005, 2009 and 2013) in the scope of IAEA technical cooperation projects RLA9049 and RLA9066 aimed to disseminate and harmonise the technique for measuring (131)I in the human thyroid. The number of participants in Latin America increased from 9 to 20 institutions from 7 and 13 countries, respectively, over the last 10 y. The participants have improved significantly their ability on the in vivo measurement technique. In the 2013 round all laboratories which reported results presented performances in an acceptable range according to the ISO criteria indicating the benefit of such exercises in the region.
