Exposure of persons accompanying patients in nuclear medicine departments
Amaral, A.; Cabral, G.; Campos, Lélia.; Guimarães, M.Inês.
Cellular and Molecular Biology 48(5): 505-509
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0145-5680 PMID: 12146704 Document Number: 550125
Patient who receives a radiopharmaceutical remains radioactive for hours or even days and so represents a potential hazard to other individuals. Thus, in nuclear medicine departments, apart from the personnel who are occupationally exposed to ionizing, radiation, protection rules must be observed for members of the public, in particular persons accompanying patients. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the absorbed dose levels, which persons accompanying patients are exposed to. Integral dose studies were carried out in three nuclear medicine departments, in Brazil. Dose levels are presented, and issues are discussed with regard to the presence of members of the public in waiting areas of such departments.