How much more radiation exposure do technologists working in a radiopharmacy receive as opposed to technologists who do not?

Introduction: At our institution, a majority of the technetium products used daily are compounded in our radiopharmacy. Five technologists rotate through the radiopharmacy during the week replacing the role of a radiopharmacist. These technologists have many responsibilities including, but not limited to, replacing and eluting generators and compounding kits. This research compares the radiation exposure to whole-body and extremity dosimeters of technologists working in the radiopharmacy to the technologists who do not.

Methods: Dosimetry reports received from the radiation safety officer were reviewed from January 2021 to November 2023. These reports included monthly averages of personal whole-body and extremity dosimeter readings of the technologists working in our department. The monthly average dosimeter readings were separated into two groups: the five technologists who rotate through the radiopharmacy opposed to the other thirteen technologists in the department.

Results: Utilizing this data, the monthly averages of whole-body and extremity dosimeter readings were graphed by time. Further, relative differences were calculated to compare the two groups. Data was analyzed utilizing t-tests to determine whether there was a significant difference in the whole-body and extremity dosimeter readings between technologists in the radiopharmacy as opposed to those who were not. From January 2021 to November 2023, the average whole-body exposure for technologists working in the radiopharmacy was 29 mrem, contrasting those who did not, it was 27 mrem. The average extremity exposure for technologists in the radiopharmacy was 301 mrem, and 125 mrem for technologists who were not in the radiopharmacy.

In 2021, 2022, and 2023 respectively, the average whole-body exposures of those who work in the radiopharmacy were 29 mrem, 29 mrem, and 33 mrem. Subsequently, there was a 5 mrem increase, 0.3 mrem decrease, and 4 mrem increase in relation to the average whole-body dosimeter readings of technologists who were not working in the radiopharmacy. The t-test conducted for whole-body exposure yielded a p-value of 0.1.

In 2021, 2022, and 2023 respectively, the average extremity exposures of those working in the radiopharmacy were 231 mrem, 209 mrem, and 479 mrem. These exposure rates had an increase of 145 mrem, 68 mrem, and 328 mrem from the average extremity reading for technologists not working in the radiopharmacy. The t-test evaluating the extremity exposures displayed a p-value of 0.0000005.

Graph 1. Whole-body dosimeter readings from January 2021 to November 2023, separated by technologists working in the radiopharmacy opposed to technologists who did not.

Graph 2. Extremity dosimeter readings from January 2021 to November 2023, separated by technologists working in the radiopharmacy opposed to technologists who did not.

Conclusions: It is concluded that there is no significant difference in whole-body radiation exposure between technologists in the radiopharmacy opposed to those who are not in the radiopharmacy as a p-value of 0.1 was calculated. However, a p-value of 0.0000005 indicates that the difference in radiation exposure to the extremities of technologists working in the radiopharmacy versus those who do not is significant. Through this statistical analysis, it is concluded that technologists in the radiopharmacy are receiving a higher average exposure rate to their extremities but no extra exposure to their whole body.

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