Evaluation of Radiation Exposure from an Automated Tc-99m Dispensing System

Abstract

Fingertip exposures using mini-thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were obtained from an automated technetium dispenser and were compared to the exposures obtained from manual preparation of doses—including generator elution, kit preparation, syringe filling, and individual dose assays. The automated dispenser reduces radiation exposure four-fold compared to the manual use of syringe shields, and fourteen-fold compared to unshielded syringes. Although the device had some limitations, research into this type of device should be continued.