Abstract:
Worldwide legislation requires the presence of air filtration systems with detectors to monitor and control the release of radionuclides into the air in nuclear medicine centers. Dealing with radionuclides includes trapping the vapors and storing it for decay. However, these methods can involve considerable expense in infrastructure, manpower and monitoring. We present and describe a new method for the treatment of gaseous waste that is economically feasible. It focuses on diverting the radionuclides into the cyclotron bunker where they are allowed to decay by electron emission. After decaying, the radionuclides can be discharged to the environment through the normal ventilation system. This method complies with legislation and has the advantage of using the already existing resources in the radiopharmaceutical production facility.