Radioactive Contamination in Hospitals From Nuclear Medicine Patients

Abstract

Comparatively little research has been published on radioactive contamination from nuclear medicine patients using hospital toilet facilities. The present study was undertaken to obtain an estimate of the amount of restroom contamination found in a typical 700-bed community hospital as a result of nuclear medicine procedures. Wipe tests were performed on designated areas for two 1-wk periods approximately 6 mo apart. For a typical workload of approximately 25-30 procedures per day, it was found that radioactive contamination ranged from approximately 10(3) Bq 100 cm-2 99mTc for the nuclear medicine restrooms to approximately 10(4) Bq 100 cm-2 for men's toilet facilities. The major component of the activity was found in the vicinity of the toilet. Although this contamination is minimal, it is recommended that nuclear medicine patients be directed to designated restroom facilities while awaiting examinations.