Monitoring radiation dose to the hands in nuclear medicine: location of dosemeters.

The relatively high radiation dose which can be received by the hands of staff in nuclear medicine departments means that in many departments it is necessary to monitor such doses. A convenient method is to use a TLD sachet in a plastic strip around a finger. This study was done to determine whether a dosemeter worn at the base of the middle finger was adequate to monitor the dose to the surface of the whole hand. Dosemeters were worn at the finger tips, finger base and palm of both hands, on two people while preparing and dispensing radio-pharmaceuticals, and two others while giving injections using syringe shields. The pattern of distribution of radiation does to the hands was similar for all workers and for both types of work. A single, convenient site (base of middle finger) may therefore be used for monitoring radiation dose to the hand.