RADIOPHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATION

Commercial kits for radiolabeling these

agents contain a reaction vial with the
appropriate amount of stannous ion (tin),
the nonradioactive pharmaceutical to be
labeled, and other buffering and stabilizing
agents. The vials are flushed with nitrogen
to prevent atmospheric oxygen interrupting
the reaction.
Sodium pertechnetate is drawn into a
syringe and assayed in the dose calibrator.
After the Tc-99m activity is confirmed, the
sample is added to the reaction vial.
Each patient dose is kept in a special lead-
shielded container and individually
assayed before being dispensed.
 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

• It is necessary to manage radioactive

waste in such a way that the exposure
of radiation to staff and the general
public as low as reasonably achievable.
• Radioactive waste may present a range
of external radiation hazards
depending on the activity and emission
of particles.
• The type of waste generated can take
the following form:

 Airborne wastes such as radioactive

gases, vapors or particular material.
 Liquid radioactive wastes.
 Solid wastes, including liquid in solid
containers.
LEGAL METHODS OF DISPOSING
RADIOACTIVE WASTES:

• Decay in storage: Store waste in the

laboratory if the half life is no more
than 120 days.
• Dump to sanitary sewers
• Dispose if not radioactive
Minimization, segregation & disposal:

• The effective management of low and

intermediate level depends on
knowledge of the waste characteristics
and the contained radioactivity. The
volume of radioactive waste should be
kept to a minimum and should be
categorized according to its method of
disposal at as early a stage as possible
MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE
CONTAMINATION:

• Decontamination of persons: In
Nuclear medicine personal
contamination will, in most cases, be
due to contact with radioactive liquid
(including patient excreta) as a result
of spills, breakage of vials or insecure
connections between syringes.
Person suspected of being contaminated
by Radioactive material should be
removed from the area of contamination
and the situation reported immediately
to the RSO. Any obvious injuries should
be treated immediately, taking case to
avoid the spread of contamination.
Decontamination of surfaces or
contaminated equipment:

• Many of the radio isotopes used in

nuclear medicine have relatively short
Half Life. In many cases it will be
preferable to store or isolate the
contaminated item until the level of
radioactivity is reduced to an
acceptable level rather than to
attempt decontamination.
If the decision is made to decontaminate
the item, advice should be sought from
the RSO on appropriate methods.
• Storage of radioactive waste: store
waste in only approved bags and
container.
Bags - yellow with radiation label
Boxes – line with yellow bag.
Bottles - attach radiation label.
Don't use anything that can be mistaken
for ordinary trash container.
Don’t mix aqueous and organic waste.
Don’t mix liquid and dry waste.
Don’t use normal plastic bottles like
coke, milk bottles etc. for liquid waste.
RADIATION PROTECTION