SAFETY IN THE MEDICAL WASTE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL IN NUCLEAR MEDICINE PRACTICE

Abstract

When conducting nuclear medical procedures, different categories of waste are generated; a large part of it falls into the category of hazardous medical waste as a result of the presence of biological material that is potentially infectious, as well as due to the radioactive isotopes it is contaminated with. Taking into account the characteristics and potential risksto humans and the environment, the treatment of nuclear medical waste differs from other medical and radioactive waste in several aspects. Activities of the nuclear medical facilities create this type of biomedical radioactive waste; these facilities have the obligation to collect, label and store the waste in a prescribed manner until it is taken over by a company which is authorized to transport, collect, keep and store hazardous medical waste. The purpose of this paper is to point out the importance of improving the quality of the management of this type of waste, with a focus on measures and procedures for the disposal of the waste generated in nuclear medicine. For this purpose, all activities during the course of nuclear medical practice should ensure the reduction of hazardous medical waste and its appropriate treatment in order to protect current and future generations from potential risks, by applying the prescribed legal regulations in that area.