Radiation protection procedures in the use of 99Tcsup(m)

Guidance is given of the radiation protection procedures necessary when dealing with patients to whom radiopharmaceuticals labelled with 99Tcsup(m) have been administered, in the form of recommendations to assist Radiological Protection Advisers and Safety Officers in producing local rules and instructions for persons having contact with such patients but who are not directly concerned with the conduct of the investigation. Examples of the categories of persons for whom recommendations have been given are as follows: patients who are breast feeding infants, the patient's family and visitors, other patients, nursing staff, surgeons, etc. The criteria used in assessing the radiation hazards, together with the data and rationale on which the recommendations are based, are presented in the report. The recommendations apply to procedures in which not more more than 1 GBq(27 mCi) of 99Tcsup(m) labelled radiopharmaceutical is administered to the patient and they apply for a period of 24 hours. If the radioactive dose is administered to a nursing mother, restrictions on breast feeding are essential. In the intensive nursing situation, restrictions on the time spent by an individual nurse close to radioactive patients may be required. In all other categories no restrictions on normal activities are necessary. (author)