Evaluation of environmental radiation levels in the microPET/CT laboratory

The microPET/CT system is an important piece of equipment used in diagnostic imaging research in small animals. The radiopharmaceutical most commonly used in this technology is fluorine-18-labelled fluorodeoxyglucose. The aim of this study is to carry out radiological control in the microPET/CT research laboratory at the IPEN-CNEN/SP Radiopharmacy Centre, in order to meet both national standards and international recommendations. The laboratory is classified by the facility’s radioprotection team as a supervised area, in which, although the adoption of specific protection and safety measures is not mandatory, regular reassessments of working environment conditions must be carried out. In order to ensure the radiological protection of workers directly involved in handling the equipment, monitoring of the workplace and assessment of individual dose control were carried out.