Operational Health Physics during the Maintenance of a Radioisotope Production Cyclotron

For safe and reliable operation of commercial radioisotope production medical cyclotrons the implementation of preventative maintenance at regular intervals becomes mandatory. During the long-term operation of a medical cyclotron, numerous (radio) activated zones at various locations of the cyclotron facility producing high levels of gamma radiation are created. These radioactive zones are caused by the neutrons produced during the bombardment of the radioisotope producing target. Present report highlights the major operational health physics aspects, including (a) dose assessment of activated regions, (b) personnel dosimetry and (c) radioactive waste management during the maintenance of the 30 MeV, H ion medical cyclotron jointly operated by the Royal Prince Alfred Teaching Hospital (RPAH) of University of Sydney and National Medical Cyclotron (NMC), Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO).