Introduction
Nuclear medicine is a field of medicine that specializes in cancer treatment and medical diagnosis. Radioactive isotopes are used to kill tumors in the body or reduce their levels and are also used for nuclear diagnostic imaging. There are several effects on the environment when nuclear materials are used. Therefore, a suitable place, protected from radiation, must be provided in hospitals and health centers where radioactive materials are used. In this article, we will learn about how to provide suitable workspaces for the nuclear medicine unit, how it is built, and what the requirements for shielding, design, construction, and approved standards are.
Shielding Requirements of Radiation Prevention Room
In the beginning, the shielding requirements for the radiation protection room must be determined, and the first thing is that appropriate protection materials must be provided because there are different types of radiation (gamma rays, x-rays, and neutron radiation), there are different types of protection materials.
Suitable shielding materials must be selected commonly used shielding materials include lead, concrete, steel, and water, and each material has different shielding properties and cost considerations.
Then we calculate the shielding thickness, and to calculate the required shielding thickness, we need to consider the radiation source strength, distance from the source to the occupied area, and the maximum permissible radiation dose for the occupants. The shielding thickness depends on the type and energy of the radiation, For gamma rays and X-rays, the shielding thickness is typically specified in terms of a half-value layer (HVL) or tenth-value layer (TVL). For neutron radiation, the shielding effectiveness depends on the material and is often specified as the (macroscopic cross-section).
Design of Radiation Prevention Room
Designing and implementing a radiation prevention room is a critical task that requires the expertise of a qualified radiation safety officer or a health physicist. They can conduct a thorough analysis of the specific radiation sources and the building's layout to ensure effective shielding.
Plan the room layout to accommodate the radiation sources and equipment, while providing sufficient space for personnel to work safely. Ensure that entry and exit points have appropriate shielding, and design the layout to minimize unnecessary exposure. In this article, Design of Nuclear Medicine Units in Hospitals, we identified the appropriate design mechanism for radiation protection rooms.
Building a Radiation Prevention Room
In the construction phase of radiation protection rooms, it is necessary to work with experienced contractors and engineers who are familiar with radiation protection. Attention must be paid to the installation of shielding materials to prevent any gaps or weak points that could allow radiation leakage.
Construction Standards
Construction Standards for a Nuclear Medicine Unit include the following:
1- Flooring shall be adequate to meet load requirements for equipment, patients, and personnel.
2- Floors and walls should be constructed of materials that are easily decontaminated in case of radioactive spills.
3- Walls should contain necessary support systems for either built-in or mobile oxygen and vacuum and vents for radioactive gases.
4- Provision for cable trays, ducts, or conduits should be made on floors, walls, and ceilings as required.
5- Ceiling height should be a minimum of 3 m.
6- Ceiling-mounted equipment should have properly designed rigid support structures located above the finished ceiling.
7- A lay-in type ceiling should be considered for ease of installation, service, and future redesigning.
Conclusion
In this article, we learned how to build a radiation protection room in nuclear medicine units how it works, and what are the requirements for shielding, appropriate design, and construction standards. You can view other articles in our blog to learn about other basic requirements for the construction of nuclear medicine units in the hospital.
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