A Quantitative Analysis of Radiation-Induced Contamination Post-Iodine-131 Treatment for Thyroid Disease
Objectives In Trinidad and Tobago, there is currently no legislation in place to protect patients, staff and the general public regarding the use of ionizing radiation and radioactive sources. One commonly used radioactive source is the isotope Iodine-131 ( 131 I) which plays a key role in the tre...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Trinidad and Tobago Medical Association (T&TMA)
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Caribbean Medical Journal |
| Online Access: | https://www.caribbeanmedicaljournal.org/2023/04/10/a-quantitative-analysis-of-radiation-induced-contamination-post-iodine-131-treatment-for-thyroid-disease/ |
| _version_ | 1797849675634573312 |
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| author | Tashanna Aubin Dr Andrea Joseph Naveen Ratan |
| author_facet | Tashanna Aubin Dr Andrea Joseph Naveen Ratan |
| author_sort | Tashanna Aubin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives
In Trinidad and Tobago, there is currently no legislation in place to protect patients, staff and the general public regarding the use of ionizing radiation and radioactive sources. One commonly used radioactive source is the isotope Iodine-131 ( 131 I) which plays a key role in the treatment of thyroid disorders and malignancies. This study aimed to investigate the contamination levels of patients, contact surfaces at their homes and solid waste accumulated post-administration of 131 I. The data obtained was used to assess relative risks associated with current practices and to determine if there is a need for the implementation of radiation isolation wards.
Methods
The homes of 19 patients were surveyed post-administration with the use of a calibrated Geiger Muller detector. The dose rate of the patients was measured from a distance of 1 m. Contact surfaces in the isolation area were measured together with the weight and exposure of the solid waste generated by the patients.
Results
26% of patients had dose rates that were higher than the average international release criteria. All outpatients produced a total of 18.54 kg of contaminated solid waste with a total dose rate of 172.608 µSv/hr during the first 48-72 hours post-treatment.
Conclusion
It was determined that the highest relative risk was related primarily to the lack of monitoring of outpatients. It can be concluded that outpatient treatment with 131 I is safe in Trinidad and Tobago once the patients’ home is suitable for isolation and clear guidelines on radiation protection measures are discussed. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T18:48:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fc99a5a7f4d44492bbd19ca06621959a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2664-5599 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T18:48:23Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | Trinidad and Tobago Medical Association (T&TMA) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Caribbean Medical Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-fc99a5a7f4d44492bbd19ca06621959a2023-04-10T08:38:23ZengTrinidad and Tobago Medical Association (T&TMA)Caribbean Medical Journal2664-55992023-04-01A Quantitative Analysis of Radiation-Induced Contamination Post-Iodine-131 Treatment for Thyroid DiseaseTashanna Aubin0Dr Andrea Joseph1Naveen Ratan2The University of the West Indies, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of PhysicsThe University of the West Indies, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of PhysicsThe University of the West Indies, Department of Clinical Medical Sciences/Department of PhysicsObjectives In Trinidad and Tobago, there is currently no legislation in place to protect patients, staff and the general public regarding the use of ionizing radiation and radioactive sources. One commonly used radioactive source is the isotope Iodine-131 ( 131 I) which plays a key role in the treatment of thyroid disorders and malignancies. This study aimed to investigate the contamination levels of patients, contact surfaces at their homes and solid waste accumulated post-administration of 131 I. The data obtained was used to assess relative risks associated with current practices and to determine if there is a need for the implementation of radiation isolation wards. Methods The homes of 19 patients were surveyed post-administration with the use of a calibrated Geiger Muller detector. The dose rate of the patients was measured from a distance of 1 m. Contact surfaces in the isolation area were measured together with the weight and exposure of the solid waste generated by the patients. Results 26% of patients had dose rates that were higher than the average international release criteria. All outpatients produced a total of 18.54 kg of contaminated solid waste with a total dose rate of 172.608 µSv/hr during the first 48-72 hours post-treatment. Conclusion It was determined that the highest relative risk was related primarily to the lack of monitoring of outpatients. It can be concluded that outpatient treatment with 131 I is safe in Trinidad and Tobago once the patients’ home is suitable for isolation and clear guidelines on radiation protection measures are discussed. https://www.caribbeanmedicaljournal.org/2023/04/10/a-quantitative-analysis-of-radiation-induced-contamination-post-iodine-131-treatment-for-thyroid-disease/ |
| spellingShingle | Tashanna Aubin Dr Andrea Joseph Naveen Ratan A Quantitative Analysis of Radiation-Induced Contamination Post-Iodine-131 Treatment for Thyroid Disease Caribbean Medical Journal |
| title | A Quantitative Analysis of Radiation-Induced Contamination Post-Iodine-131 Treatment for Thyroid Disease |
| title_full | A Quantitative Analysis of Radiation-Induced Contamination Post-Iodine-131 Treatment for Thyroid Disease |
| title_fullStr | A Quantitative Analysis of Radiation-Induced Contamination Post-Iodine-131 Treatment for Thyroid Disease |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Quantitative Analysis of Radiation-Induced Contamination Post-Iodine-131 Treatment for Thyroid Disease |
| title_short | A Quantitative Analysis of Radiation-Induced Contamination Post-Iodine-131 Treatment for Thyroid Disease |
| title_sort | quantitative analysis of radiation induced contamination post iodine 131 treatment for thyroid disease |
| url | https://www.caribbeanmedicaljournal.org/2023/04/10/a-quantitative-analysis-of-radiation-induced-contamination-post-iodine-131-treatment-for-thyroid-disease/ |
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