THYROID EXPOSURE DURING 18F-FDG PRODUCTION PROCEDURES

The production of radiopharmaceuticals for the needs of positron emission tomography (PET), in particular F-18-FDG, is a multi-step process performed most often by physicists and chemists. The monitoring of occupational exposure of staff employed in radiopharmaceutical production centres includes the measurement of the Hp(10) and Hp(0.07) values. Occupational exposure to ionising radiation means that the thyroid may be, among others, affected by the radiation field. This work analyses the exposure of the thyroid gland of employees of centres that produce the isotopes for PET, in particular fluorine-18. The analysis take into account the employment structure and work system of the discussed centres. Measurements were carried out by using high-sensitivity thermoluminescence detectors (MCP-N). The measurements covered 17 employees. Our results show that the estimated maximum annual thyroid gland exposure will not exceed 30 mSv.