Investigation of maximum doses absorbed by people accompanying patients in nuclear medicine departments.

In nuclear medicine, radioisotopes are bound to several compounds (called radiopharmaceuticals) for use in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. These unscaled sources are administered in various forms to patients, who remain radioactive for hours or days, and represent a source of potential radiation exposure for others. Thus, in nuclear medicine departments, radiation protection of workers and members of the public must take this exposure into account. In this context, the aim of this work was the investigation of maximum dose levels to which people accompanying patients are exposed. For monitoring, thermoluminescence dosemeters were given to 380 people in three nuclear medicine departments in Brazil. Exposure results are given, and issues regarding length of stay of members of the public in those departments are discussed.