Radiation Dose to Hands from Radiopharmaceuticals—Preparation Versus Injections

Abstract

Since there has not been a great deal in the literature on personnel radiation exposure, particularly to the hands, we investigated the question of which phase of radionuclide handling causes the greatest radiation dose to the hands: preparation or injection. Results indicate that the major radiation dose occurs during preparation. The total dose, however, is well below the maximum permissible dose set by the National Council on Radiation Protection. Lead foil wrapped around the syringe cuts the dose to the hands somewhat, but the overall exposure to the hands while injecting is quite small.