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Assessment of occupational exposure from shielded and unshielded syringes for clinically relevant positron emission tomography (PET) isotopes—a Monte Carlo approach using EGSnrc

18F has been the most widely used radionuclide in positron emission tomography (PET) facilities over the last few decades. However, increased interest in novel PET tracers, theranostics and immuno-PET has led to significant growth in clinically used positron-emitting radionuclides. The decay schemes of each of these radioisotopes are markedly different from 18F, with different endpoint energies for the emitted positrons and, in some cases, additional high energy gamma radiation. This has implications for the occupational exposure of personnel involved in the manipulation and dispensing of PET radiopharmaceuticals. The EGSnrc Monte Carlo simulation software was used to estimate the doses to extremities in contact with unshielded and shielded syringes containing 64Cu, 18F, 11C, 13N, 15O, 68Ga and 89Zr, respectively. Dose rates at various distances from the syringe were also modelled, with dose rates reported in terms of eye (Hp(3)), skin equivalent (Hp(0.07)) and deep (Hp(10)) doses. The composition and geometry of the simulated syringe shields were based on a selection of commercially available PET shields. Experimental dose rate measurements were performed for validation purposes where possible. Contact skin dose rates for all isotopes, except for 64Cu, were found to be higher than 18F for the unshielded syringe. The addition of a shield resulted in approximately equal contact skin dose rates for nearly all isotopes, for each shield type, with the exception of 89Zr which was notably higher. Dose rate constants (µGy/MBq.hr) for a range of PET isotopes and shields are presented and their significance discussed.