Evaluation of 18F Radioactive Concentration in Exhaust at Cyclotron Facility at Chosun University

Abstract

The recent prevalence of PET examinations in Korea has led to an increase in thenumber of cyclotrons. The medical isotope 18F produced in most cyclotron facilities currentlyoperating in Korea is emitted into the environment during the production of [18F]FDG, a cancerdiagnosisreagent. The amount of [18F]FDG synthesized determines the radioactive concentrationof 18F in the exhaust. At some facilities, this amount temporarily exceeds the emission limit. In thisstudy, we evaluated the 18F radioactivity concentration in the exhaust from the cyclotron facilityat Chosun University. The 18F radioactivity concentration was measured using an air sampler anda HPGe semiconductor detector. The measurements showed that the radioactive concentration of18F in the exhaust at the cyclotron facility at Chosun University was the highest during [18F]FDGsynthesis but remained under the legal limit of 2,000 Bq m-3.