Use of radioactive materials in hospitals is safe for the population and the environment
General hospitals in the Netherlands make safe use of radioactive materials for research and treatment. After two rounds of inspection with a focus on safety for the population and the environment, the Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection has concluded that safety is ensured, even considering the fact that the use of radioactive substances in general hospitals is on the rise. However, we have observed some necessary points for improvement, in terms of the fire safety of the storage of radioactive materials. We see that hospitals are very willing to work on these points for improvement. By now, almost all points for improvement have been resolved.
Not everything in order at the 1st inspection round
During our first inspection round in the 2021-2022 period, we observed in nearly all the inspected hospitals that not everything was in order. For example, information was missing from annual reports. In these annual reports, hospitals provide an overview of the applications of radioactive materials and radiation. By creating this overview, they can check their own compliance with the requirements stated in the laws and rules. We also use these annual reports in our monitoring. This is why it is important that no information is missing.
Storage of radioactive substances
We also observed some issues with storage facilities. There are requirements for the storage of radioactive materials and radioactive waste. For example that it should be clear which radioactive materials are kept in the storage facility. There are also requirements to limiting the dispersal of these materials as much as possible in the event of a fire.
Violations corrected in second inspection round
In the subsequent second inspection round in 2022-2023, most of the inspected hospitals were found to be entirely compliant with the rules. Based on this, we conclude that the inspected hospitals are very motivated to comply with the rules and to work safely and securely. The industry associations have been informed of the inspection results and have been asked to share these with their members.
Developments in the sector
The developments in nuclear medicine are progressing very rapidly. For example, the number of procedures is on the rise. New types of radioactive materials are also being used. Usually, academic or specialised hospitals conduct research into new applications for nuclear medicine. As soon as a method or therapy is ready for broader application, increase in scale takes place.
That means that general hospitals will also be using the new applications. These developments were an important reason for us to begin this monitoring.
Checks performed on 6 themes
In the monitoring action of general hospitals, we looked at 6 different themes. For example, we have checked whether hospitals have the right licences and whether they employ specialists in the area of radiation protection.
Another theme is waste management and for this purpose we reviewed how hospitals handle radioactive waste. We have checked whether the calculations of the discharge and the population exposure were performed properly. We have also reviewed whether the outcomes of these calculations stay within the bounds of legislation and regulations.
Finally, we looked at the storage of radioactive waste and radioactive materials in the storage facility and whether this complies with the requirements set out in legislation and regulations.
Just under half the hospitals have been investigated
At the start of the monitoring action in 2020, a total of 63 general hospitals in the Netherlands had a licence to work with various types of radioactive materials. Of these 63 hospitals we visited 26. In the choice of where to visit, we paid attention to various characteristics and decided to spread our inspections across the Netherlands. The checks took place in the period from 2021 to early 2023.
Medical research and treatment using radioactive materials
In the Netherlands, many people are referred for examinations (diagnostics) or treatment (therapy) using radioactive materials. We call this nuclear medicine. This form of medicine is mainly used to combat cancer (both diagnostics and therapy) but also in cardiology and neurology. Radioactive materials are usually administered via an injection.
Nuclear medicine also leads to radioactive waste. Please also review this explanation about radioactive materials in nuclear medicine and how this waste is created (in Dutch).
Would you like to know more? Please read our factsheet including the inspection results
Would you like to know more about our inspections? Please check out our factsheet on general hospitals with a nuclear medicine department (in Dutch).