Radioactive Decontamination using Bamboo Activated Carbon for Healthy Environment in Nuclear Medicine

Abstract

Radioactive wastes by products excreted from radioiodine (RAI) therapy patient waste such as urine, faeces, sweat and puke might risk to radiation contamination if not systematically manage. These wastes can affect human health and environment, thus sustain and systematic management must be strictly considered. In addition, radiopharmaceutical preparations in nuclear medicine risk to radioactive spillage by chances. In this study, new sustainable adsorption technique by using agriculture product was proposed to decontaminate the possibilities of radioactive spillage in RAI therapy where different concentrations of bamboo activated carbon (BAC) was mixed with pure 131I and filtered by using filter paper. Radioactivity for each filtered sample (sediment) was measured using dose calibrator to determine kinetic reactions of adsorbed radioactive substances. The data shows the sediment radioactivity was increased with increased of BAC concentrations. The radioactivity loss after filtration was 76.1% (50 mg/ml), 76.3% (100 mg/ml), 83.5% (150 mg/ml), 80.4% (200 mg/ml), 85% (250 mg/ml) and 68% (control) due to high agglomeration between BAC and 131I. Mixtures with highest BAC concentration was then characterized using FESEM and EDX for morphology and elemental analysis. FESEM image proved there were porous structures on the BAC to attract 131I and other molecules. EDX revealed that 131I and other elements were attracted to BAC layered sheets. This study revealed that BAC performed different capabilities as an adsorbent material under different experimental conditions and has high potential for sustainable radionuclide decontamination agents especially for RAI therapy in ensuring continuous healthy environment for staff, patients and public in Nuclear Medicine Department.