Consenting Process for Radiation Facilities - Atomic Energy ...

3.10 Nuclear Medicine Facilities
3.10.1 Nuclear Medicine Therapy Facility
3.10.1.1 General
Several megabequerel (millicuries) of radioactivity in unsealed form are
administered to patients either orally or by other routes. Patients may be
hospitalised and should be discharged only when the activity in them has
reduced to levels prescribed by AERB. Such patients are instructed to maintain
isolation from relatives even after discharge from hospital for some period.
During this time even nursing of infants by mother patient is not allowed.
3.10.1.2 Site and Layout Plan Approval/ Design of Facility
The isolation ward should be located at one end of the facility and preferably
contiguous with the other radiation facilities. The Site and layout of the nuclear
medicine facility should be approved by AERB. While planning the facility,
the areas for source storage, source preparation, dose administration, isolation
ward, radioactive waste storage, decontamination room, delay tank etc. should
be segregated, graded in terms of activity level, and access controlled
accordingly. Floors must be lined and walls painted with special materials to
facilitate easy decontamination. The application for approval of Site and
Layout Plan for nuclear medicine facility is given in Annexure 33a.
3.10.1.3 Construction
The construction of the nuclear medicine facility can be started after obtaining
layout plan approval. No separate regulatory clearance is required for
construction. However, AERB may inspect the facility while under
construction to verify whether the construction is as per design layout plan
approved.
3.10.1.4 Commissioning and Operation
Prior to seeking Authorisation for commissioning and operation, the applicant
should have
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
qualified and trained manpower - Nuclear Medicine Physician, RSO
Level-III or RSO Level-II with special training in isolation ward,
Nuclear Medicine Technologist,
personnel monitoring devices for all workers,
radiation protection instruments (survey meters, contamination
monitors, dose calibrators),
radiation protection accessories, and
waste disposal facility with provisions for monitoring.
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