Radiation Safety Aspects
OncoSil™ contains radioactive 32P Microparticles. Phosphorous-32 emits beta radiation that travel only a few millimetres in tissue and up to 6 metres in air.
A secondary radiation hazard is the interaction of beta particles at close range with dense, or high atomic number materials creating X-ray emissions (bremsstrahlung radiation). Therefore, vials and syringes containing 32P should be appropriately shielded.
Once the patient has received the OncoSil™ implant, they effectively become the radiation source, consequently patients pose a very small radiation risk to staff and other contacts. However, some general precautions should be observed, and local regulations may over-ride these general guidelines.
Special care must be taken to minimise radiation exposure to persons preparing OncoSil™ and treatment facility personnel involved in handling and implanting OncoSil™ to patients.