Monte Carlo simulation and radiometric characterization of proton irradiated [18O]H₂O for the treatment of the waste streams originated from [18F]FDG synthesis process.

The aim of this work is quantifying the radionuclidic impurities of the irradiated [(18)O]water originated by the [(18)F]FDG synthesis process, and characterizing, from a radioprotection point of view, the waste streams produced. Two samples of 2.4ml [(18)O]H(2)O, contained in two different target cells, have been irradiated with a proton current of 37μA in a PETtrace cyclotron for about one hour each; after irradiation, without performing any chemical purification process but waiting only for the (18)F decay, they have been transferred in two vials and measured by HPGe gamma spectrometry and, subsequently, by Liquid Scintillation Counting.