Radiation environment in high-altitude Antarctic plateau: Recent measurements and model studies.

Polar regions are the most exposed to secondary particles and radiation produced by primary cosmic rays in the atmosphere, because naturally they are with marginal geomagnetic shielding. In addition, the secondary particle flux contributing to the complex radiation field is enhanced at high-mountain altitudes compared to sea level because of the reduced atmospheric attenuation. At present, there are very few systematic experimental measurements of environmental dose at high southern latitudes, specifically at high-altitude region. Here, we report a campaign of measurements with different devices, that is passive and Liulin-type dosimeters, of the radiation background at high-mountain Antarctic station Vostok (3488 m above sea level, 78° 27' S; 106° 50' E). We compare the measurements with a Monte Carlo-based model for the propagation of the cosmic rays through the atmosphere and assessment of the radiation field in the atmosphere. We employed the model to estimate the radiation dose at Vostok station during the ground-level enhancement at 28 October 2021. As in previous studies by other teams, we show that the annual dose equivalent at high-altitude Antarctic facilities can significantly exceed the limit of 1 mSv established for the general population by the ICRP.

Estimation of Whole Body Radiation Exposure to Nuclear Medicine Personnel During Synthesis of 177Lutetium-labeled Radiopharmaceuticals.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: With rapid development in the field of nuclear medicine therapy, radiation safety of the personnel involved in synthesis of radiopharmaceuticals has become imperative. Few studies have been done on estimating the radiation exposure of personnel involved in the radio labeling of 177Lu-compounds in western countries. However, data from the Indian subcontinent are limited. We have estimated whole body radiation exposure to the radiopharmacist involved in the labeling of: 177Lu-DOTATATE, 177Lu-PSMA-617, and 177Lu-EDTMP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Background radiation was measured by keeping a pocket dosimeter around the workbench when no radioactive work was conducted. The same pocket dosimeter was given to the radiopharmacist performing the labeling of 177Lu-compounds. All radiopharmaceuticals were synthesized by the same radiopharmacist with 3, 1 and 3 year experience, respectively, in radiolabeling the above compounds. RESULTS: One Curie (1 Ci) of 177Lu was received fortnightly by our department. Data were collected for 12 syntheses of 177Lu-DOTATATE, 8 syntheses of 177Lu-PSMA-617, and 3 syntheses of 177Lu-EDTMP. Mean time required to complete the synthesis was 0.81, 0.65, and 0.58 h, respectively. Mean whole body radiation exposure was 0.023 ± 0.01 mSv, 0.01 ± 0.002 mSv, and 0.002 ± 0.0006 mSv, respectively. Overall mean radiation dose for all the three 177Lu-compounds was 0.014 mSv. Highest exposure was obtained during the synthesis of 177Lu-DOTATATE. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the manual radiolabeling of 177Lu compounds is safe, and the whole body radiation exposure to the involved personnel is well within prescribed limits.

Resultados de la vigilancia radiológica individual de la exposición externa en Cuba en el período 2006-2009 / Results of personal dosimetry in Cuba from 2006 to 2009 period

RESUMEN El trabajo describe los resultados del servicio de dosimetría personal del Laboratorio de Dosimetría Externa del Centro de Protección e Higiene de las Radiaciones en el período 2006-2009. Se analizan los datos sobre el número de trabajadores ocupacionalmente expuestos que son monitoreados y los niveles de exposición ocupacional que reciben, comparándolos con períodos anteriores y los valores publicados por el UNSCEAR. Los trabajadores monitoreados laboran en la medicina, la industria convencional, la investigación y la docencia. El sector de la salud abarca el 90%. El número de trabajadores monitoreados mantuvo una tendencia creciente en el período, siendo el caso más relevante la práctica de radiodiagnóstico, la cual se duplicó. El número de trabajadores ocupacionalmente expuestos, fue inferior al 50% del total monitoreado, mostrando una tendencia decreciente con respecto a años anteriores. La dosis anual promedio para todas las prácticas fue inferior a 1 mSv, mostrando igualmente una disminución con respecto al período anterior.

ABSTRACT The work describes the results of the personal dosimetry service carried out by the External Dosimetry of the Center for Radiation Protection and Hygiene from 2006 to 2009. Data about number of monitored occupationally exposure workers and occupational radiation exposure levels are analyzed, which are also compared with previously period and UNSCEAR reports. The results show that the number of occupational exposure workers is increase in the period; only about 50% of monitored workers were exposed. The average individual values of annual effective doses were less than 1 mSv for all monitored practices. The comparison with previously period showed a decreasing tendency in the number of exposed workers and in the average annual doses.