Disposal of therapeutic 131I waste using a multiple holding tank system.

Abstract

Therapeutic application of 131I for the treatment of thyroid cancer generates a significant amount of liquid radioactive waste. Discharge of this waste into the public sewage system is governed by local regulations. In Canada, the permissible concentration is such that only a few patients can be treated in modern water-efficient buildings if this waste is discharged directly through the toilet to the public sewage system. If the toilet discharge is first collected into a holding tank for physical decay before it is released, a large patient load can be handled without exceeding the permissible concentration. In this paper, the principles of operation and the design parameters are discussed, and a multiple holding tank system installed in the Princess Margaret Hospital/Ontario Cancer Institute is described.

• Authors: P M Leung, M Nikolic
• Journal: Health physics (Health Phys) Vol. 75 Issue 3 Pg. 315-21 (Sep 1998) ISSN: 0017-9078 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9721842 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Iodine Radioisotopes
• Medical Waste Disposal
• Radioactive Waste

Topics

• Equipment Design
• Humans
• Iodine Radioisotopes (therapeutic use, urine)
• Medical Waste Disposal (instrumentation)
• Ontario
• Radiation Protection
• Radioactive Waste
• Radiometry
• Thyroid Neoplasms (radiotherapy, urine)