Distribution and separation of metallic and radionuclidic impurities in the production of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose

In this study the identification, determination and distribution of metallic and radionuclidic contaminants in the synthesis of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose are presented. Samples of irradiated ¹⁸O-enriched water, purification columns (anionic, C18, Al₂O₃), final product and wastes were examined. Metallic contaminants were determined by ICP-MS and the radionuclide impurities by high resolution germanium gamma-spectrometry. Fifteen radionuclides were identified in the samples. The enriched water contained cationic contaminants (⁵⁵Co, ⁵⁶Co, ⁵⁷Co, ⁵⁸Co, ⁵⁷Ni, ⁵²Mn, ⁷Be) while the anionic (⁹⁵Tc, ^95mTc, ⁹⁶Tc, ¹⁸³Re) were mostly retained in the QMA column. The sources of contamination by metals and radionuclides were determined. Results obtained by ICP-MS generally confirmed the radionuclide distribution obtained by gamma spectrometry. (author)