This tutorial gives an overview of PET Radiation Safety in Nuclear Medicine

After completing this tutorial, attendees will be able to:

• Explain that all of the radionuclides used in PET laboratories emit positrons and produce the resultant annihilation radiation

• Explain why additional radiation safety precautions must be taken into consideration when using PET radiopharmaceuticals

• Explain the importance of the TDS method for controlling external radiation exposure

• Explain why the exposure rate of F-18 is approximately six times greater than that of Tc-99m at a distance of approximately 8 inches

• Know that for PET, barriers, partitions, and shielding must be specially designed to protect personnel, other equipment, and public areas from sources of radioactivity

• Identify all possible sources of annihilation photons in a PET imaging laboratory

• State specific things that a NMT can do to minimize his dose, that of other staff members, and patients

• State how Technologists should receive, calibrate, and inject PET radiotracers and how to dispose of residual activity in specially designed waste bins.