Abstract:
Objective To describe a calculation method to estimate occupational radiation doses from positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanners and propose protective measures against radiation, and to provide references for evaluation and technique appraise.
Methods According to the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) Safety Report Series No.58 and the AAPM (American Association of Physicists in Medicine) Task Group 108 Report, a PET/CT center in a hospital was selected to identify radiation sources, diagnosis processes, and other relevant parameters. The annual exposure dose of staff at each operational location and of rotation staff were estimated.
Results The annual doses of the staff at operational locations of packing, injection, positioning, and control room in the center were 0.06, 0.14, 7.00, and 0.36 mSv, respectively. The average dose for rotation staff was about 1.9 mSv. The hand equivalent dose was about 340 mSv.
Conclusion A job rotation system should be implemented to the staff, and radiation protection should be strengthened in locations like packing, injection, and positioning.