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Table 3 Data for N empty vials and corresponding bags, measured in 2021 to determine (ER/2BKG) ratios

From: Dealing with dry waste disposal issues associated with 177mLu impurities: a long-term challenge for nuclear medicine departments

Period of treatments

First half 2018

Second half 2018

First half 2019

Vials July 2021

Number of vials stored (N)

19

9

18

Storage time of vials (median [range] in months)

39.4 [36.9–42.3]

34.6 [31.3–36.5]

25.5 [23.4–29.2]

(ER/2BKG) Ratio* (median [range])

0.5 [0.5–0.6]

0.7 [0.6–0.9]

1.1 [0.8–1.5]

Bags July 2021

Number of bags containing N vials

1

1

1

(ER/2BKG) Ratio*

1.0

2.1

4.5

Additional storage time required (months)

0

6

12

Calculated date of disposal

July 2021

December 2021

July 2022

Compliance with predicted storage times (3 years)

Yes

Yes

Yes

  1. *ER  Exposure rate measured in contact with the container; 2BKG = 0.1 μSv.h−1 regulatory clearance level of twice-the-background