Optimization of radiological protection in nuclear medicine for patients and personnel, taking into account the preparation of radiopharmaceuticals using generator nuclides

The report compiles possibilities for the reduction of radiation dose in the nuclear medical routine. Therefore, measurements for the decontamination of the skin and for decorporation from the organism were tested for different radiopharmaceuticals. Solutions of complexones (DTPA) and heavy metal salts (yttrium chloride) are useful for the decontamination of 111In-, 90Y-, and 67Ga-radiopharmaceuticals. Radiopharmaceuticals which contain radioactive iodine or 99mTc can be decontaminated by means of solutions containing reducing or oxidising agents. The decorporation of heavy metal-radionuclides from the organism can be carried out by the application of Ca- or Y-solutions (skeleton) and by ethylendiaminetetramethylenephosphonate (EDTMP). These results were found by animal experiments which intended simultaneously the investigation of tumour affine compounds. Furthermore, in the framework of the project new methods for the quality control of radiopharmaceuticals as prerequisite for their safe application were introduced in the clinical routine. (orig.)