Mumbai, Nov 16: A few nuclear medicine centres
(NMCs) in the country have been found violating various
radiation safety norms applicable to nuclear medicine
practice, according to the atomic energy regulatory board
(AERB).
"During the routine inspection carried out by AERB, it
was observed that few out of the total 100 NMCs violated
various provisions of radiation safety," AERB said in its
latest annual report (2002-2003).
The violations include alteration in the approved plan of
laboratory without obtaining prior approval from Bhabha Atomic
Research Centre (BARC), non-availability of approved
radiological safety officer (RSO) and technologist,
non-submission of annual safety status report to AERB, not
obtaining AERB authorisation for waste disposal and
non-availability of quality assurance records, it said.
AERB reviewed these violations, which were observed in
facilities handling very low activity sources and did not
involve significant radiation doses to patient or members of
the public.
AERB has issued directives emphasising the need for
initiating immediate steps to obtain approval from BARC for
the modified layout as it exists and for immediate appointment
of RSO to provide surveillance in handling nuclear medicine
radioisotopes, the report said.
Bureau Report
