Environmental impact assessment of waste-water: radionuclides use in hospitals (Abruzzo, Italy, 2000-2015)

Abstract

Radionuclides are increasingly used in hospitals for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, such as functional research, diagnostic imaging, and in the performance of radioiodine therapy. Their use produces radioactive waste, and risks environmental contamination. The present study involves 486 samples of radioactive waste produced in hospitals in Abruzzo, Italy, during 2000 - 2015. Measurements were carried out with the gamma spectrometry technique: Germanium detector (PTG) with 8000 acquisition channels, power range 59 - 1836 keV, resolution 1 keV, overall efficiency 30%, measurement time 60000 Seconds. The radionuclides involved were as follows:  ¹³¹I,  ^99mTc,   ⁶⁷Ga,   ²⁰¹Tl,   ¹²³I,   ¹¹¹In, with substantial activity in 44 samples. Checks allowed us to certify the levels of radioactive concentration in waste-water, plan for their suppression, and optimise the management procedures.