- Medical Radiation Doses on
the Rise
- A study presented at the annual meeting of the National
Council on Radiation Protection & Measurements, found that U.S.
residents have experienced a sixfold increase in medical
radiation dose since 1980 -- with much of that increase due to
CT scanning. Indeed, CT scanning accounts for 45% of the
medical radiation dose delivered in the U.S., despite making up
just 12% of all medical radiation procedures in the country.
Click here to view the new ACR White Paper on Radiation Dose
in Medicine.
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- Silica Acid ITLC Paper
- Since Silica Acid paper is no
longer commercially available from Pall or Varian. There
is a question as to an alternative QC method for Tc-99m
Mebrofenin. Jim Ponto has forwarded a
Disofenin QC procedure
that can also be applied to Mebrofenin. If you are aware
of a supplier or alternative QC methods, please post on the
nuclear pharmacy eCommunity discussion board or forward to
NLHilliard@uams.edu
-
- In Memoriam: Tom Gentle
- We regret to inform you that Tom
Gentle from Birmingham, AL passed away April 6th. Tom was
involved in the field of nuclear pharmacy for many years
teaching pharmacy students and nuclear medicine technologists.
Tom Bush recalls his friend and colleague, "He was a great human
being and friend to many of us."
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- New Alzheimer's Agent in
Development
- MDS Nordion and Avid
Radiopharmaceuticals announced a collaboration agreement to
support clinical studies for a new SPECT radiopharmaceutical to
diagnose and monitor Alzheimer's Disease. New agents are
being developed to identify amyloid protein plaques that have
been associated with the disease.
For more information....
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- ACMUI Seeks Nuclear
Pharmacist
- The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission is advertising for nominations for the position of
nuclear pharmacist on the Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses
of Isotopes. Nominations are due on or before May 29, 2007.
For more information...
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- Pellet of Pu-238
Plutonium-238
(Pu-238) is used by the U.S. Space Program to power
missions in space. Radioisotope thermoelectric
generators (RTGs) are constructed using
marshmallow-sized pellets of Pu-238. As it decays,
interactions between the alpha particles and the
shielding material produce heat that can be
converted into electricity. Two reasons that Pu-238
is used are because of its half-life and decay
properties. It has a half-life of 87.7 years. This
means that after five years, it is still generating
about 96% of its original heat output. Also, because
Pu-238 decays mainly by alpha decay, only
lightweight shielding is required. These two
properties make it ideal for use in space. |
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Basic
Radiation Safety and DOT Training
Available
Now
- Only $45 |
A 57 year old diabetic patient hit his
toes on a fireplace wall. Two toes have previously been
amputated and there is concern for a possible infection in the third
toe on his left foot.
Continued...
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