The Effectiveness of Ionized Water as a Radiodecontaminant for Tc-Pertechnetate and I.

Immediate and complete decontamination procedures are essential to restore the functionality, precision, accuracy, and safety of tests done within the nuclear medicine facility. Decontamination is a simple procedure that, if performed correctly, effectively reduces exposure brought about by spills. The determination of a suitable radiodecontaminant may be beneficial in decontaminating patient beds, collimators, probes, and machines. Two surface types (i.e., stainless steel and vinyl) were contaminated with a predetermined activity of TcO and I. After air drying, static images of the contaminated surfaces were obtained using a γ-camera to determine the activity counts on each surface before and after decontamination procedures. Different decontaminant contact times (i.e., 5, 10, and 15 min) were used for each decontaminant (i.e., ionized water, 10% bleach, detergent solution, a negative control [no treatment], and a positive control [a commercial radiodecontaminant]). Differences between the effectiveness of ionized water and the other decontaminants against TcO and I at different contact times were measured, and the mean percentage activity removed (%AR) was compared using 2-way ANOVA at the 0.05 level of significance. TcO and I contaminants had %ARs of greater than 80% after 5 min of contact time for ionized water and the other decontaminants. At 15 min contact time, ionized water was not as effective as the other decontaminating agents for I on vinyl surfaces. There was no significant interaction between the effects of the decontaminants (%AR) and the contact times with stainless steel and vinyl for either TcO or I. For TcO and I on stainless steel surfaces, ionized water is an effective decontaminant at contact times of 5, 10, and 15 min. For TcO on vinyl surfaces, ionized water is also an effective decontaminant at contact times of 5, 10, and 15 min. For I on vinyl surfaces, ionized water is as effective as 10% bleach, detergent solution, and a commercial radiodecontaminant at contact times of 5 and 10 min.