Part 10

Part 10IAEA Training Material on Radiation Protection in Nuclear Medicine

Radioactive Waste

Part 10. Radioactive waste

Nuclear Medicine

ObjectiveTo be aware of the general principles of the handling and the safety of radioactive waste. To be able to identify, store and dispose of the different types of waste generated in a nuclear medicine department


Nuclear Medicine

ContentIntroductionBasic requirements & legal frameworkWaste collection, segregation and storageWaste treatment and disposalExamples of waste management in nuclear medicine. Local rules.


Module 10.1 IntroductionIAEA Training Material on Radiation Protection in Nuclear Medicine

Part 10Radioactive Waste


Nuclear Medicine

Radioactive Waste inNuclear MedicineThe use of unsealed sources in diagnosis and therapy will generate radioactive waste of different kinds during preparation,patient examination and care


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Radioactive Waste inNuclear MedicineSealed sources used for calibration and quality control of equipment, Point sources and anatomical markers, will end up as radioactive waste.


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Radioactive Waste inNuclear MedicineSolid waste.Cover papers, gloves, empty vials and syringes. Radionuclide generators. Items used by hospitalized patientsafter radionuclide therapy. Sealed sources used for calibration of instruments. Animal carcasses and other biological waste. Liquid waste.Residues of radionuclides. Patient excreta. Liquid scintil-lation solutions.Gaseous waste.Exhausted gas from patients in nuclear medicine


Module 10.2 Basic requirements and legal frameworkIAEA Training Material on Radiation Protection in Nuclear Medicine



Nuclear Medicine

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLESRadioactive waste shall be managed in such a way as to secure an acceptable level of protection for human health.Radioactive waste shall be managed in such a way as to provide an acceptable level of protection of the environment. Radioactive waste shall be managed within an appropriate national legal framework including clear allocation of responsibilities and provision for independent regulatory functions.Generation of radioactive waste shall be kept to minimum practicable.


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WASTE MANAGEMENT DEFINITIONSPre-treatmentTreatmentConditioningDisposalInterim storageTransportationRadioactivematerial forreuse/recycleExemptedwaste


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Waste management frameworkOrganization and responsibilitiesWaste inventoryWaste management planWaste minimizationSafety assessmentsFacilitiesTransportsStaff trainingDocumentation and recordsQuality assurance


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Quality assuranceLocal rulesNormal working conditionsAccidentsWaste identification and traceabilityRecord systemProcess controlSafe handling of radioactive sourcesFacilitiesMonitoringQuality of containersArrangements for storageDocumentationAudits


Module 10.3 Waste collection, segregation and storage

IAEA Training Material on Radiation Protection in Nuclear Medicine



Nuclear Medicine

Radioactive waste-BSSIII.8.Registrants and licensees shall:

ensure that the activity and volume of any radioactive waste that result from the sources for which they are responsible be kept to the minimum practicable, and that the waste be managed, i.e. collected, handled, treated, conditioned, transported, stored and disposed of, in accordance with the requirements of the Standards, and any other applicable standard, and

segregate, and treat separately if appropriate, different types of radioactive waste where warranted by differences in factors such as radionuclide content, half-life, concentration, volume and physical and chemical properties, taking into account the available options for waste disposal.


Nuclear Medicine

WASTE MINIMIZATIONA good planning of the nuclear medicine activity including selection of radionuclides and good working procedures will result in a reduced volume of radioactive waste.

Selection of radionuclides should take into account half-life, type of radiation, activity etc.

Working procedures should take into account the number of operations and material involved in the preparation, the risk of contamination etc.


Nuclear Medicine

Examples of waste from Nuclear MedicineBiological waste which may undergo decomposition.Infectious waste requiring sterilization prior to disposal.Broken glass-ware, syringes etc, requiring collection in separate containers to prevent personnel being injured.Radionuclide generatorsBed linen and clothing from hospital wards.Liquid scintillation solutionsPatient excreta ?


Nuclear Medicine

Segregation of waste from Nuclear MedicineSome examples of the different types of waste generated in a hospitalLiquid waste containing short-lived radionuclides capable of being stored for decay (radiopharmaceuticals).Solid waste containing short-lived radionuclides capable of being stored for decay (contaminated items).Liquid waste which after proper treatment and conditioning can be handled in the public waste treatment system (long-lived radiopharmaceuticals).Solid waste which after proper treatment and conditioning can be handled in the public waste treatment system (biological samples, anatomical markers).Sealed sources. (sources for calibration and QC)


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Segregation/Waste containersContainers to allow segregation of different types of radioactive waste should be available in areas where the waste is generated. The containers must be suitable for purpose (volume, shielding, leak proof, etc.)

Glassware with radionuclides (short half-life)Syringes and needlesGloves and paperGlassware with radionuclides (medium half-life)....


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Storage of radioactive wasteA room for interim storage of radioactive waste should be available. The room should be locked, properly marked and ventilated.

Each type of waste should be kept in separate containers properly labeled to supply information about the radionuclide, activity concentration etc. Flammable goods should be kept apart.

Records should be kept where the origin of the waste can identified.


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Storage of radioactive waste


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Module 10.4 Waste treatment and disposal IAEA Training Material on Radiation Protection in Nuclear Medicine



Nuclear Medicine

Radioactive waste-BSSIII.9. Registrants and licensees shall ensure that radioactive substances from authorized practices and sources not be discharged to the environment unless:

either clearance has been granted for the radioactive substance or the discharge is within the discharge limits authorized by the Regulatory Authority;


Nuclear Medicine

Treatment of solid waste(general principles)The objective of the treatment process is to reduce thevolume of solid waste, reduce or eliminate potentialhazards associated with the waste and to produce wastepackages suitable for destruction, storage or transportationto and disposal at a licensed repository.


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Conditioning of solid wasteSolid waste should be conditioned in order to produce a waste form suitable for storage and transportation governedby the properties of the waste, the transport regulationsand the specific waste disposal acceptance requirementsNational plantPublic systemWaste packages


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DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTEExample of national regulations of disposal of waste fromhospitals:

Disposal via the public waste treatment system

Maximum 10 ALImin /month and maximum 1 ALIminper package.The dose rate at the surface of each package should be50 kBq.Each package should be properly labeled with a warningsign containing information on radionuclide and activity. The origin of the waste should also be given on the package.


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LIQUID WASTEEffluent dischargesLiquid waste can be transformed to solid waste by sometreatment process such as evaporation.Liquid waste can be discharged to the environment if either clearance has been granted for the radioactive substance or the discharge is within the limits authorized by the Regulatory Authority.Liquid wasteEffluentsSolid wasteTreatment


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Effluent dischargesExample of rules

Module 10.5 Examples and Local RulesIAEA Training Material on Radiation Protection in Nuclear Medicine



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SHORT-LIVED RADIONUCLIDESRadionuclides such as Tc-99m, I-123, Tl-201, I-131Sm-153, Sr-89 etc. should, after segregation, be stored for decay during a period of time established locally bythe RPO, taking into account all applicable nationalregulations.


Nuclear Medicine

PATIENT EXCRETADiagnostic patientsGenerally no need for collection of excreta.Ordinary toilets can be used.

Therapy patientsDifferent policies in different countries: Use separate toilets equipped with delay tanks or an active treatment system, orAllow the excreta to be released directly intothe sewer system.

The Regulatory Authority should define the principles takingthe environmental impact into consideration


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LIQUID DISCHARGESI-131Estimation of the generic clearance value for aquatic release of I-131 is quite complicated. Is all materialretained in the sewage sludge at sewage treatmentworks or is all the activity discharged to a water body?Who will get the highest exposure? Which dilution ofthe radionuclide concentration will be found etc?

Calculations must be made by qualified persons takinginto account the guidance given by IAEA (TECDOC 1000)


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Tc-generatorsStore for decayDismount the generatorCheck for contaminationReturn to producerExempted waste?


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Tc-generator(store for decay & dismounting)Assume a generator with 20 GBq Mo-99 at reference time.The half-life of Mo-99 is 2.75 d and the exemption activity is1 MBq (BSS). The time for interim storage should thenbe 40 d.

The dose rate at 1 m from the unshielded column will then be0.04 Sv/h. Hence, the external exposure will be very small whendismounting the generator.

The dismounted column is exempted waste and the sign ofits previous radioactivity should be removed. The column cannow be discharged together with similar waste from thehospital.


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DISMOUNTING A TC-GENERATOR1. Check for radiation2. Remove the plastic cover3. Check for radiation4. Remove the column


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DISMOUNTING A TC-GENERATOR5. Remove the lead shield6. Separate the different materials7. Check if the column can be classified as exemted waste


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Sealed sources for QC of equipmentCo-57 flood sources, anatomical markers etc used in diagnostic nuclear medicineCo-57, Cs-137 etc calibration sources for activity meters.Should be transferred to a national plant for final disposal


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Liquid scintillation solutionsSmall activities of H-3 or C-14 in organic solvents.Glass or plastic vials of 5-10 ml volume.Controlled Incineration in a plant!


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Biological wastePre-treatment (deepfreezing, quicklime, chemical methods)IncinerationStore for decayTransfer todepositoryExempted waste


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LOCAL RULESDepartment of Diagnostic Nuclear MedicineRadiation Protection ManualRADIOACTIVE WASTEGloves, cover paper etcSyringes, needlesVials containing Tc99m Tl-201, In-111, Ga-67 Technetium generator Flood sources, markers


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SummaryThe requirements of the BSS and other IAEA publication formulates the general rules regarding waste management.An efficient national infrastructure and policy is required.National regulations regarding disposal of waste should be available and form the basis of local rules in the hospital.A well planned use of radionuclides is fundamental in a waste management system.A system for segregation of the waste should be available in the department. This includes proper containers.A room for storage of waste should be available.A quality assurance programme in nuclear medicine should include management of radioactive waste.


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Questions?


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DISCUSSIONHow should a room for interim storage be classified?Controlled area? Supervised area?

Where should the room be localized and how should it be designed?


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DISCUSSIONA physicist is measuring the radionuclide purity of a technetium generator. The measurements reveal small amounts of Pu-239. Will this affect the disposal of the generator?


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DISCUSSIONDiscuss the possibilities of incineration of radioactive waste. What basic requirements should be fulfilled by the plant?


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Where to Get More InformationOther sessionsPart 4 Safety of sources. Design of facilitiesPart 9. Quality assurancePart 5 Occupational protection

Further readingsIAEA, International Basic Safety Standards for Protection Against Ionizing Radiation and for the Safety of Radiation Sources Safety Series No.115, (1996)IAEA, The Principles of Radioactive Waste Management, Safety Series No. 111-F, (1995)IAEA, A Safety Guide on Predisposal management of radioactive waste from medicine, industry and research, Safety Standard Series No 111-G-2.2 (1997)IAEA/WHO Manual on Radiation Protection in Hospitals and General Practice, Volume 4, Nuclear Medicine. Manuscript.Handling and disposal of radioactive materials in hospitals, ICRP Publication No. 25. Oxford, Pergamon Press, 1977 (Annals of the ICRP No. 2)


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PRE-TREATMENTAny or all the operations prior to waste treatmentsuch as:

collectionsegregationchemical adjustmentdecontaminationCollection and segregation of waste are important factorsto consider in a system of waste management in nuclearmedicine


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Exempted wasteStorage for decay may release the waste fromnuclear regulatory control. Clearance levelsshould be given by the national RegulatoryAuthority.

All signs of its radioactive origin should beremoved and the waste can be treated as anysimilar waste in the hospital taking into accountthe possible biological and chemical hazards.

This is the most common way to handle radioactivewaste in nuclear medicine.


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The emplacement of waste in an approved specified facility (for example, near surface or geological repository) without the intention of retrieval ("confine and contain). Disposal may also include the approved direct discharge of effluents (for example, liquid and gaseous wastes) into the environment with subsequent dispersion ("dilute and disperse).

Both methods are used in disposal of waste in nuclear medicineDISPOSAL


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TREATMENTOperations intended to benefit safety and/oreconomy by changing the characteristics of thewaste. Three basic treatment objectives are:

volume reductionremoval of radionuclides from the wastechange of composition.

After treatment, the waste may or may not beimmobilized to achieve an appropriate waste form.

Generally not used n Nuclear Medicine


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CONDITIONINGThose operations that produce a waste package suitable for handling, transportation, storage and/or disposal.

Conditioning may include the conversion of the waste to a solid waste form, enclosure of the waste in containers and, if necessary, providing an overpack.

Should be applied to long lived sealed sources used forcalibration and QC of nuclear medicine equipment.


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INTERIM STORAGEStorage of waste at different stages of the waste management process, before the final disposal.

A room for interim storage of waste should be available in a nuclear medicine facility. It is mainly used for storage for decay to exemption levels. This is the main method of final disposal of waste generated in nuclear medicine.


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TRANSPORTATIONTransportation of waste at different stages of the waste management process, before the final disposal. The international regulations established by IAEA shall be followed.Note that radioactive waste should be handled similar to any radioactive source.


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LOCAL RULES 1Department of Diagnostic Nuclear MedicineRadiation Protection ManualRADIOACTIVE WASTEGloves, cover paper etc Shall continuously be collected in the plastic bags placed in the rooms for preparation and injection of radiopharmaceuticals When the bag is filled, seal it and move it to room 2:13. Write the expected date of disposal (today's date+14 days) Before disposal, check the external dose rate on the surface. If the dose rate does not exceed the background,.the bag can be disposed of as ordinary waste. If the dose rate exceeds the background, write the new date of disposal on the bag and store it for another 14 days.


Nuclear Medicine

LOCAL RULES 2Department of Diagnostic Nuclear MedicineRadiation Protection ManualRADIOACTIVE WASTEUsed syringes and needles etc Shall continuously be collected in the shielded container in the rooms for preparation and injection of radiopharmaceuticals When the container is filled, seal it and move it to the fume hood in room 2:13. Write he expected date of disposal (today's date+4 weeks) on the container and place it behind the lead shield. Before disposal, check the external dose rate on the surface. If the dose rate does not exceed the background,.the container can be disposed of according to the ordinary rules for dangerous items If the dose rate exceeds the background, write the new date of disposal on the container and store it for another 4 weeks,


Nuclear Medicine

LOCAL RULES 3Department of Diagnostic Nuclear MedicineRadiation Protection ManualRADIOACTIVE WASTEVials containing residues of Tc-99m Shall continuously be collected in the shielded container in the room for preparation of radiopharmaceuticals When the container is filled, seal it and move it to the fume hood in room 2:13. Write the expected day of disposal (today's date+4 weeks) on the container and place it behind the lead shield. Before disposal, check the external dose rate on the surface. If the dose rate does not exceed the background,.the container can be disposed of according to the ordinary rules for glassware If the dose rate exceeds the background, write the new date of disposal on the container and store it for another 4 weeks,


Nuclear Medicine

LOCAL RULES 4Department of Diagnostic Nuclear MedicineRadiation Protection ManualRADIOACTIVE WASTEVials containing residues of Tl-201, In-111 and Ga-67 Measure the residual activity Put the vial in the original lead shield and move it to room 2:13 If the activity is below 100 MBq, open the vial and pour the content in the sewage system. Use the sink in room 2:13. Flush with plenty of water. Rinse the vial and dispose it as ordinary glass ware. Use protective gloves and clothing during the work. Check for contamination of the sink. Clean it if contamination is detected If the residual activity is >100 MBq, calculate the time of storage using the tables posted in the room. Write the date of disposal on the vial and put in the fume hood.


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LOCAL RULES 5Department of Diagnostic Nuclear MedicineRadiation Protection ManualRADIOACTIVE WASTE Technetium generator Put the used generator back into the transport container Move the container to the room for interim storage of waste (no 01:24 located in the basement). The key to the room is kept by the Chief Technician Fill in the record (generator no and today's date) The used generators will be picked up every 8th week by the producer. Check the containers for contamination before they are removed. Fill in the date of removal in the record. Notify the RPO (NN phone xxxxxx if contamination is detected)


Nuclear Medicine

LOCAL RULES 6Department of Diagnostic Nuclear MedicineRadiation Protection ManualRADIOACTIVE WASTESealed sourcesFlood sources, anatomical markers, check sources Move the used source to the room for interim storage of waste (no 01:24 located in the basement). The key to the room is kept by the Chief Technician Fill in the record (source id no and today's date) The final disposal of the source is handled by the RPO (NN, phone xxxxxx)


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