Abstract
The dose limit for the skin of the hand is typically converted to a surface of 1 cm2, which means that one needs to measure point doses in different places on the hand. However, the commonly used method of measuring doses on the hand, i.e., using a dosimetric ring including one or several thermoluminescent detectors worn at the base of a finger, is not adequate for manual procedures such as labeling or radiopharmaceutical injection. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to create and conduct a series of computer simulations that, by recreating the actual working conditions, would provide information on the values of ionizing radiation doses received by the most exposed parts of the hands of employees of radiopharmaceutical production facilities, as well as those of nurses during the injection of radiopharmaceuticals. The simulations were carried out using Monte Carlo radiation transport calculations. The Hp(0.07) personal dose equivalent values obtained for the fingertips of the index and middle fingers of nursing staff and chemists were within the range limited by the minimum and maximum Hp(0.07) values obtained as a result of dosimetric measurements carried out in diagnostic and production centers. Only in the case of the nurse’s fingertip, the simulated value of Hp(0.07 slightly exceeded the measured maximum Hp(0.07) value. The comparison of measured and simulated dose values showed that the largest differences in Hp(0.07) values occurred at the thumb tip, and for ring finger and middle finger of some of the nurses investigated.
Highlights
Nuclear medicine is an interdisciplinary field and, a rather unusual branch of medicine
The personal dose equivalent Hp(0.07) values to fingertips of employees obtained by application of the developed Monte Carlo method are mostly consistent with the results of dosimetric measurements carried out in PET diagnostic facilities and radiopharmaceuticals production centers
The actual dose values derived from these measurements, which depend on the radiopharmaceutical activity and the time needed to perform the required manual activities, proved valuable information about the doses for the most exposed parts of the employees’ hand
Summary
Nuclear medicine is an interdisciplinary field and, a rather unusual branch of medicine. Manual preparation of radiopharmaceuticals means that personnel employed in the field of nuclear medicine can be exposed to extremely high doses of ionizing radiation, especially when it comes to hand exposure. The commonly used method of measuring doses on the hand, i.e., using a dosimetric ring containing one or several thermoluminescent detectors worn at the base of a finger, is not adequate for manual procedures such as labeling or radiopharmaceutical injection (Martin and Sutton 2015; Wrzesień and Olszewski 2018; Sherbini et al 2011; Lecchi et al 2016; Jankowski et al 2002; Sæther et al 2005; Smart 2004; Chiesa et al 1997; Donadille et al 2005; Vanhavere et al 2006; Batchelor et al 1991; Montgomery et al 1999; Hastings et al 1997; Wrzesień and Olszewski 2011; Carnicer et al 2011; Wrzesień et al 2008, 2016; Kubo and Mauricio 2014). Dosimetric literature data on medical personnel who work with ionizing radiation in nuclear medicine facilities using positron emission tomography (PET) is typically limited to cases, where the exposure of personnel performing 18F-FDG injection procedures to the patient or diagnostic procedures has been analyzed (Leide-Svegborn 2010, 2011; Dalianis et al. Vol.:(0123456789)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
