Exposure dose estimation considering a molybdenum generator fall accident

Abstract

Radiopharmaceuticals with high radioactivity are used in the field of nuclear medicine. Moreover, understanding the exposure dose of radiation workers and the air dose in radioisotope preparation rooms is essential. In particular, evaluating exposure dose assuming an accident to reduce radiation exposure as much as possible and respond to the accident is paramount. Thus, we evaluated a case study where 1.34 GBq 99Mo–99mTc generator used in our hospital fell, and evaluated exposure doses. The results of the considered drop accident of a commercially available generator indicated a possibility of radiation exposure equivalent to several months of normal work exposure, even though the possibility of radiation exposure to the extent that deterministic biological effects appear is low. Therefore, more attention must be paid to managing radiopharmaceuticals with high radioactivity, such as generators, to reduce the anxiety of radiation workers in the hospital and respond rapidly to accidents. Furthermore, the study findings should be used for staff training during normal times to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure.