Distribution of equivalent doses to skin of the hands of nuclear medicine personnel.

During direct contact with radiation sources, for example in nuclear medicine departments, the skin of the hands of workers is the area most exposed to radiation. Measurements with finger dosemeters containing thermoluminescent detectors showed that doses received may reach values as high as 100 mSv y(-1). The specific nature of work performed with isotopes contributes to the considerable differences in the value of an equivalent dose received by the metacarpus, wrist and fingertips. The annual equivalent doses to which fingertips are exposed may exceed the annual dose limit of 500 mSv.