Two-dimensional radiometric map of environmental radiation levels in a nuclear medicine service

Abstract

Nuclear Medicine in Brazil has shown significant growth, with approximately 2 million procedures performed annually across 436 facilities. Ensuring that radiation exposure remains within safe limits is critical to protect patients and staff, making radiometric surveys an essential part of safety protocols. This study investigated the distribution of radiation in a nuclear medicine service in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, using biweekly measurements collected between 2021 and 2023. A total of 2,000 samples were gathered at 40 points using a Geiger-Müller detector. The data were analyzed and mapped onto the facility’s floor plan using Paint and Excel software to generate a radiometric map. The results identified areas with elevated radiation levels and notable regional differences. The highest exposure rates were found primarily in the radiopharmacy—where radioactive materials are handled, stored, and prepared—and in radiopharmaceutical administration rooms. This radiometric map proved effective in guiding radiological protection measures and highlights the importance of continuous radiation monitoring in clinical nuclear medicine environments.