Abstract
Objective
High-energy beta emitters such as Strontium-89 (89Sr) and Yttrium-90 (90Y) are becoming increasingly popular nuclear therapy sources in Japan for treating cancer. Various characteristics of materials must be considered when designing radiation protection device for high-energy beta emitters. We empirically measured and simulated dose equivalents of beta and bremsstrahlung radiation arising from 89Sr and 90Y radiation shielded with various materials and determined optimal shielding materials against these sources.
Methods
The dose equivalents of 89Sr and 90Y determined experimentally using an ionization chamber survey meter were compared with those of Monte Carlo simulations. The relative dose equivalents of beta and bremsstrahlung radiation separately transmitted by changing the thickness of acrylic, aluminum, iron, lead and tungsten shielding materials were simulated.
Results
Dose equivalents were consistent between the empirical measurements and the simulation to within ±5 %. Shielding ability was more effective in the order of tungsten, lead, iron, aluminum and acrylic against both 89Sr and 90Y. The amount of beta and bremsstrahlung radiation transmitted through tungsten and lead was relatively small. Although such high-density material generates much bremsstrahlung radiation, it absorbs the bremsstrahlung radiations.
Conclusions
Tungsten was the optimal material for efficient shielding against 89Sr and 90Y radiation and preferable among operators. The present findings provide useful information about how to define an appropriate shielding strategy for high-energy beta emitters.
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Acknowledgments
The authors thank the staff of the Department of Radiology and Nuclear medicine at Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research (JFCR) for providing valuable clinical support. This study was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid from the Clinical Research Center at the Cancer Institute Hospital of JFCR.
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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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T. Murata and K. Miwa contributed equally.
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Murata, T., Miwa, K., Matsubayashi, F. et al. Optimal radiation shielding for beta and bremsstrahlung radiation emitted by 89Sr and 90Y: validation by empirical approach and Monte Carlo simulations. Ann Nucl Med 28, 617–622 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12149-014-0853-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12149-014-0853-6