Equipment of the Nuclear Medicine Hot Laboratory, Radiation Protection, and Quality Control Tests

Abstract

Hot laboratories are controlled areas within nuclear medicine departments where radioactive materials used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes are stored, handled, and prepared as radiopharmaceuticals for patient administration. The procedures performed in these areas include radionuclide generator elution, radiopharmaceutical preparation and labeling, activity measurement, and dose dispensing. In addition, hot laboratories constitute the initial step in the segregation of radioactive waste at its source in nuclear medicine practice. One of the most critical components of a hot laboratory is the fume hood, which provides both radiation shielding and contamination control. Equipment commonly located within the fume hood includes dose calibrators, L-block shields, lead bricks, lead pots, forceps, shielded syringe holders, and syringe transport containers. Owing to the relatively high radiation levels in these environments, ambient dose rates are continuously monitored using area radiation monitors. Given the inherent radiation hazards, strict adherence to radiation protection principles, optimized workflow design, and comprehensive quality assurance programs are essential. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of hot laboratory design and infrastructure requirements, radiation protection strategies, contamination control procedures, radioactive waste management, and quality control testing of dose calibrators. Particular emphasis is placed on dose calibrator quality control procedures, and practical clinical examples are presented to support medical physicists in routine practice.