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SUMMARY:Estimation of radiation exposure to family members of patients tre
 ated  with I-131 in Tanzania
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260522T075500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260522T081500Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20260624T105757Z
UID:indico-contribution-3809@indico.tlabs.ac.za
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Penina Mbago (University of Dar es Salaam)\, Innocen
 t Lugendo (University of Dar es Salaam)\nAbstract\nRadiation therapy using
  Iodine-131 (I-131) is a widely employed treatment for thyroid disorders\;
  however\, it poses potential radiation exposure risks to patient caregive
 rs due to gamma emissions from treated patients. This study estimates the 
 radiation doses received by family members of patients undergoing I-131 th
 erapy in Tanzania\, where cultural practices and living conditions complic
 ate adherence to international safety guidelines. Using the Particle and H
 eavy Ions Transport-code System (PHITS)\, exposure scenarios during hospit
 alization and post-discharge phases were modelled\, accounting for proximi
 ty\, activity levels\, and caregiver-patient interactions. These models we
 re utilized to estimate the radiation exposure to family members of patien
 ts treated with I-131 in Tanzania. Results indicate that family members as
 sisting dependent patients during hospitalization received doses of 1.53\,
  2.33\, and 2.99 mSv for 3700\, 5550\, and 7400 MBq\, respectively. These 
 doses are below the 5 mSv/episode limit but exceed the 1 mSv/year public d
 ose limit. Post-hospitalization\, the doses decreased significantly\, with
  the highest exposure caused by close-contact activities. Meanwhile\, tran
 sportation scenarios showed the exposure to be less than 1 mSv/year for sh
 ort durations. Nevertheless\, strict adherence to maintaining a one-meter 
 distance and minimizing the duration of close contact is emphasized. These
  findings provide critical insights for maintaining public health while en
 suring effective thyroid cancer treatment.  \nKeywords: Caregiver safety\,
  family members\, Iodine-131 therapy\, PHITS simulation\, radiation exposu
 re\, Tanzania\, thyroid cancer.\n\nhttps://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/139/co
 ntributions/3809/
LOCATION:NRF-iThemba LABS\, Old Faure Road\, Cape Town Auditorium
URL:https://indico.tlabs.ac.za/event/139/contributions/3809/
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