Progress in Medical Physics (한국의학물리학회지:의학물리)

Korean Society of Medical Physics (한국의학물리학회)
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Trend Analysis on Korean and International Management for Activated Material Waste from Medical Linear Accelerator

  • Kwon, Na Hye (Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Jang, Young Jae (Department of Accelerator Science, Korea University) ;
  • Kim, Dong Wook (Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Shin, Dong Oh (Department of Radiation Oncology, Kyung Hee University Hospital) ;
  • Kim, Kum Bae (Research Team of Radiological Physics & Engineering, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences) ;
  • Kim, Jin Sung (Department of Radiation Oncology, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Choi, Sang Hyoun (Research Team of Radiological Physics & Engineering, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences)
  • Received : 2020.12.02
  • Accepted : 2020.12.14
  • Published : 2020.12.31
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Abstract

This study investigated and analyzed the Korean and international status of radioactive waste management for medical linear accelerators (linacs) and proceed prior research to suggest radiation safety regulations and guidelines for the safe use of radiation. We analyzed the number of linacs installed in the radiation oncology departments of 103 institutions. In addition, we analyzed the procedures and standards for disposal in Korea and foreign countries. For foreign countries, we analyzed the status based on reports from the United States, Japan, Europe, and Canada. A total of 182 linacs are installed in Korea and 95% of them use more than 10 MV of energy. In Korea, standards for managing radioactive waste from a linac, disposal procedures, and clearance criteria have yet to be established. Therefore, radioactive waste is disposed of in different ways depending on the hospitals where they originate. Japan, the US, and Canada have recommended clearance levels and procedures for linacs. Other countries have provided management guidelines for research or large-scale accelerators, but not for medical purposes. In this study, we investigated the management of radioactive waste from medical linacs in Korea and abroad. Several foreign countries have suggested a clearance level and criteria for disposing of waste storage drums. For the safe management of medical linacs, it is necessary to establish safety management regulations. In Korea, standards for disposal, such as radiation or dose limits, are required for medical linacs. A system for clearance when disposing at a medical institution should be created.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the Nuclear Safety Research Program through the Korea Foundation of Nuclear Safety (KoFONS) using the financial resources granted by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (NSSC) of the Republic of Korea (No. 2003013).

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