Estimation of Radiation Dose to the Eye during Radiopharmaceutical Preparation and scan procedures at a selected private hospital in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Abstract: Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactive compounds used in nuclear imaging procedures. The purpose of this study was to estimate the average equivalent dose to the eye. This study was conducted at the nuclear medicine department of Lanka hospitals PLC, Sri Lanka. A total number of 137 procedures were selected: bone, renal (DTPA - Diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid) and whole body iodine (WBI), and dose was measured during the radiopharmaceutical preparation. Measurement of eye dose need to be done using Hp(3) type dosimeter, but due to unavailability of that dosimeter, Hp(10) type electronic pocket dosimeter was used for measurements. The dosimeter (Brand- POLIMASTER and model-PM1610) was placed in between the eyes during the dose measurement with the help of custom made head band. The highest estimated average equivalent eye dose of 6.93 (± 5.36) μSv was received by the technician during 1st week from newly installed radio nuclide generator. Annual estimated equivalent eye dose have received by personals involved in dose administration, and patient handling were 0.34 (± 0.24) mSvy-1 and 0.08 (± 0.01) mSvy-1 respectively. A strong positive correlation (r=1.0000) was found between total equivalent eye dose and eye dose received by the technician during radiolabeling. Further, the total equivalent eye dose during DTPA procedures and the dose received by eye during DTPA dose withdrawal (preparation of dose vials for each patient from total dose volume) have shown a positive correlation (r=0.9980). This study concluded that the estimated annual radiation dose to the eye of personals involves in dose administration and patient handling were far below than the ICRP recommended equivalent dose limits.