1. Radionuclides & Radiation : Tools for Betterment of Humankind
Meera Venkatesh
Radiopharmaceuticals Division
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre

2. 15th July 06

3. Radionuclides – What are they?
Unstable nuclides of elements
Emission of energetic rays in the process of becoming a different, more stable nuclide
Radioactive rays
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4. Radionuclides - Properties
Emission of Radiation
alpha (), beta () : particulates
gamma () : non-particulate
energetic; varying energies
Transient - non-permanent
concept of half life; varying half-lives
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5. Radiations : , ,  energetic
interact with matter to deposit the energy
the radiations are easily measurable at very low amounts - high sensitivity
the material may alter and its properties may change – e.g. polymerisation
the radiation will attenuate after interacting with the material – e.g. its energy reduces, intensity reduces
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6. Some Areas of Impact Medical Agriculture Industry & Hydrology Research
diagnostic, therapeutic, sterilization
Agriculture
food preservation, tracers, mutation
Industry & Hydrology
radiography, tracers, gauging, radiation processing
Research
tracers ...
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7. Radioisotope/Radiation Applications : Basis
Easy detectability : Tracers
Alterations in the material on irradiation
Attenuation in the radiation itself
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8. Easy detectability of radiation
Tracer applications - Medical
Diagnostic in-vivo Nuclear Medicine;
static imaging of organs;
dynamic imaging of organs;
understanding the functioning of vital organs;
delineation of tumours etc.etc.
Diagnostic in-vitro radiometric kits
hormones/drugs/antigens measurement in biological samples
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9. Tracer applications - industries, water management
trouble shooting; hydrology applications; process development/optimisation, monitoring industrial reactions etc.
Tracer applications - laboratory & agricultural tracers;
process understanding; optimisation of manure/ pesticide; fate of the used manure/pesticide etc.
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10. Radioisotope/Radiation Applications : Basis
Easy detectability : Tracers
Alterations in the material on irradiation
Attenuation in the radiation itself
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11. Alterations in the material
damage to living cells, death of living organisms - fungi, bacteria, cancer cell ..
polymerisation of monomers
creation of defects in materials - crystal structure
breaking of very tough materials
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12. Damage to living cells
Fungi, bacteria .. ; food preservation by irradiation; sterilization of medical products by gamma irradiation; blood irradiation
cancer cells ; teletherapy, brachytherapy, in-vivo therapy - radiopharmaceuticals, loco-regional therapy
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13. polymerisation of monomers;
radiation processing of wires, cables, ‘O’ rings etc.
breaking of very tough materials
degradation of polymers, teflon etc.
creation of defects in crystal structure
colouration of diamonds
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14. Radioisotope/Radiation Applications : Basis
Easy detectability : Tracers
Alterations in the material on irradiation
Attenuation in the radiation itself
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15. Attenuation in the radiation
intensity decrease
information about the material - uniformity, thickness, defects etc.
Gamma radiography ; status of/defects in materials
Nucleonic gauges; thickness, level measurements
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16. Which radionuclides or radiations? Selection Criteria
Emission properties
type of radiation, energy
Half life
Chemistry
Feasibility
Cost
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17. Medical use of Radiation & Radioisotopes
Diagnostic
Therapeutic
Radiation processing
Teletherapy
In-vivo Radiopharmaceuticals
Brachytherapy
Gamma knife
In-vitro radiometric assays
Sterilization,
Blood Irradiation
Polymerized products : hydrogel, drug delivery systems
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18. Radiopharmaceuticals
Molecules containing Radioactivity used in Medicine - for Diagnosis & Therapy
Diagnostic Products
In-vivo
injectibles
oral
In-vitro
Radiometric assays
Therapeutic Products
In-vivo
injectibles
oral
Sealed Sources
Brachy Therapy
Topical Applications
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19. Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals
In-Vitro : ‘in-glass’ or outside the body
Radiometric Assays (RIAs & IRMAs)
Nobel prize winning technology (Dr Yalow-1976)
Very useful tool in diagnosing diseases related to hormones; indispensable in pathology labs
More recently use in various areas : Tumor Specific Antigens, viral antigens, drugs with narrow therapeutic index, non-clinical applications
IRMA- Prostate Specific Antigen - Prostate Cancer
RIA-Aflatoxin B1 - mycotoxin - food commodities
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20. Radiometric Assays
Analytical techniques to measure minute quantities of an analyte in a complex matrix
Use of radiolabeled molecule as the tracer
Utility in Medicine, Environment, Food industry etc.
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21. Endocrinology, Oncology Pharmacology & toxicology
Concentration
Substance
10 mmol/L 1
Glucose
Albumin
100
10 umol/L
Creatinin
Iron
Immunoglobulin
10 nmol/L
Thyroxin, Cortisol
Progesterone, Testosterone, T3
Estradiol
10 pmol/L
Insulin
Free T3
Endocrinology, Oncology
Drug development
Pharmacology & toxicology
Non clinical fields
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22. Diagnostic Radiopharmaceuticals : in-vivo
In-Vivo : ‘inside the body’
Static Imaging
Organ size, shape, abnormalities etc.
Thyroid, Liver, Kidneys, Brain, Skeleton, Lungs, malignancies
Presence of nodules, tumours, metastatic lesions, goitre, abcess, shrinkage etc.
Dynamic Imaging
Functioning of the organ, rate, output, defects etc.
Heart, Liver, Kidneys
Infarcted myocardium, hole in the heart, filtration defects in kidneys etc.
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23. Nuclear Medicine – for imaging
Very safe
Non-invasive
No reactions or side effects
minimal radiation dose
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24. Uniqueness of a nuclear scan
X-ray, USG, CT & MRI – give anatomic information.
Nuclear scan provides unique FUNCTIONAL as well as ANATOMIC INFORMATION
A highly sensitive technique;
also known as Molecular Imaging
Available for almost every organ / system
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25. Example: Functioning of heart muscles
Typical heart scan - dynamic showing various regions for easy diagnosis of functioning and quantification of results
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26. Static images of thyroid with Na99mTcO4
Avid Uptake with increased TSH
Iodine Deficiency Goitre
Normal
Lingual Thyroid
Avid Uptake with increased
T3& T4
Toxicosis
Cold Nodule - Rt Lobe
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27. for skeletal metastases in patients with known or suspected cancer.
WHOLE BODY BONE SCAN
for skeletal metastases in patients with known or suspected cancer.
99mTc MDP Bone Scan
Normal
Multiple Metastases
Ca Prostate
Multiple Metastases
Ca Lt Breast
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28. Positron Emission Tomography: PET
Recent technology
18F-Fuloro deoxy glucose (18F-FDG) most widely used tracer for PET
3D picture of defects, clear, precise
Most often used to find out recurrence of cancers
Also used to image heart and brain to find tissues that are not ‘alive’ (do not take up glucose)
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29. Example : PET machine & PET image
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30. Therapeutic Radiopharmaceuticals
Deleterious effect of ionising radiations on cells/organisms
In-vivo & Sealed Sources
Primarily Cancers; others : hyperthyroidism, radiation synoviorthesis etc.
Historically very old ; non-systematic
Systematic - Old - 131I, 32P
Surge - past 15 years
Forecast : sales 0.5 B USD now to 2.8 B in 2007
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31. Range of particulate radiations10
a : cell nucleus
b : single cell
c : few cells
d : 100 cells d 1 c
Range (mm)
0.1 b
0.01 a
Auger e MeV, MeV - 1.7 MeV -
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32. Therapeutic Radiopharmaceuticals
Palliative - Bone pain
Radiolabeled phosphonates
89Sr Chloride, 32P-phosphate, 153Sm-EDTMP, 188Re-HEDP , 188Re-CTMP, 177Lu-DOTMP, 175Yb-DOTMP
Liver cancer treatment
colloids/particulates - through hepatic artery
166Ho-chitosan, 90Y-glass microspheres, 188Re-Sn colloid
Radiation Synoviorthesis
colloids/particulates : intra articular injections
166Ho-Hydroxyapaptite(HA), 153Sm-HA, BARC - clinical trials and supply
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33. Example: Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis using a radiopharmaceutical
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34. Brachytherapy Use of radioactive sources for treatment
Within the tissue
Covering the cancer tissue – like amould
Within a cavity having cancer
Within a vessel to be irradiated
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35. Treatment of Breast Cancer
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36. Low Energy Radioactive Plaque Therapy for treatment of Ocular melonoma
Tiny rice-sized {0.8mm(OD)x4.75mm(l)} radioactive seeds (15-25 no.) are glued into the gold eye-plaque or seed carrier.
A mushroom-shaped choroidal melanoma
Plaque is sewn covering the tumour and removed after stipulated dose delivery (2-3 weeks)
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37. Clinical Trials
Sankara Netralaya, Chennai; 10 Patients successfully treated since Sept. 2003; all doing fine.
Product awaiting AERB approval for regular use
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38. Prostate brachytherapy –within tissues.
Prostate cancer is a disease in which cancer cells grow in the prostate. Seed implantation with I-125/Pd-103 seeds (brachytherapy) is a highly effective treatment for men with prostate cancer.
Treatment:
Hormone therapy
Surgery
Radiation therapy
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39. Intracavitary brachytherapy
Encapsulation of small radioactive (137Cs)tubes(40 mCi each).
Location of tumor position.
Implantation of applicator
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40. External beam radiation therapy - Teletherapy
External source
High intensity radiation; 60Co – most widely used
A machine is used to direct the radiation to the tumor (cancer) through the skin.
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41. Indigenous Teletherapy Machine
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42. Gamma Knife High accuracy, low risk, low complications, low morbidity
Multiple targeting (up to Co sources; 1 TBq each; circular array) to achieve better dose delivery and low damage to surrounding tissues.
Brain tumors 
Acoustic neuroma
Arteriovenous
malformation (AVM)
Trigeminal neuralgia 
High accuracy, low risk, low complications, low morbidity
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43. Radioisotope Applications in Industry Quick, easy, clean and cost saving techniques
Sealed Sources
Radiation Processing
Radiography Testing
Gamma Scanning
Industrial tomography
Nucleonic Control Systems
Radioactive Tracers
Flow rate measurements
Inventory Control - chemical plants
Leak/blockage detection- pipe lines
RTD Studies in chemical reactors
Silt movement studies (harbours)
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44. Radiation processing Gamma rays/ Electron beams
Medical products sterilization
Blood irradiation
Polymerisation
Hydrogel
Surface curing of materials-cables, wires, O-rings
Processing of sewage sludge
Value addition of gems
Food & Agriculture industry
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45. Gamma irradiation plant
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47. Electron Beam Machine
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48. Radiation processed Hydrogel for use as Burn/Wound Dressing
Product patented
Commercialized
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49. Sewage Sludge Hygienization Facility
Vadodara
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53. Irradiated Gems – Value addition
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54. Radiation & Radioisotopes in Food & Agriculture
Radiation Processing
Sprout inhibition - potatoes, onions
Disinfestation - grains
Delayed ripening - bananas etc.
Extension of shelf life - strawberries
Microbial decontamination – spices, meat
Hygeinization – meat, fish
Sterilisation – meat, fish, chapatis etc.
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55. [Storage temperature 100 C] [Storage duration 17 Days ]
FRENCH BEANS
UNTREATED TREATED 1 kGy TREATED 2 kGy
Shelf-life extension of whole ready –to – cook French beans by radiation processing
[Storage temperature 100 C] [Storage duration 17 Days ]
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56. [Storage temperature 100 C] [Storage duration 25 Days ]
POMEGRANATE ARILS
UNTREATED TREATED 2 kGy
Shelf-life extension of cut ready –to – eat pomegranate arils by radiation processing
[Storage temperature 100 C] [Storage duration 25 Days ]
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57. WHITE PUMPKINS (ASH GOURD)
CONTROL IRRADIATED (2 kGy)
Shelf-life extension of cut ready –to – cook ash gourd by radiation processing
STORAGE DURATION : 8 DAYS STORAGE TEMPERATURE : 100 C
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58. Mutation Radiotracers High yield -Ground nuts, rice, pulses
Disease resistance -mung powdery mildew
Enhanced properties -ground nut, jute
Early maturity -ground rice, pulses, jute
Large seed -ground nut
Radiotracers
Optimisation of fertiliser use, amounts, time, soil depth etc.
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59. adaptability, seed dormancy
Trombay varieties Released & Notified by MoA, GOI for commercial cultivation( )
Greengram
TMB-37
2005
M: 63
Y: 1100
YI: 20
Eastern UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam and West Bengal
Tolerant to yellow mosaic virus
Soybean
TAMS-38
2005
M: 95
Y: 2318
YI: 20
Maharashtra
Early maturing, resistant to bacterial pustule, Myrothecium leaf spot
Groundnut
TPG-41
2004
M: 120
Y: Summer 2407
YI: 26
All India
Large seed (65g 100 seeds) Fresh seed dormancy
On farm trials 4551kg/ha
49% increase
TG-37A
M: 110
Y: Kharif 1993
YI: 26-38
Rainy season Rajasthan,Punjab
Haryana,Gujarat UP.
Rabi/Summer
W.Bengal.Orissa, Assam/N.E.
Wider
adaptability, seed dormancy
M=Maturity(days), Y=Yield (Kg/ha), YI= Yield Increase (%)
TMB-37
TAMS-38
TG-37A
TPG-41

60. Trombay Groundnuts in Farmers Field…
Girgaon
Receding moisture situation Karnataka
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61. TROMBAY GROUNDNUT READY FOR THE MARKET
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62. Radiography Easy detection of defects
Just like X rays for chest congestion or fractures!
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63. RADIOGRAPHY TESTING OF AIRCRAFT ENGINE
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64. FIELD RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM
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65. GAMMA SCANNING OF INDUSTRIAL PROCESS COLUMNS
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66. Tomographic system
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67. Radiotracer for studying silt movement, dredging etc
Radiotracer for studying silt movement, dredging etc. in coasts/harbours
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68. Underground pipeline leakage detection by radiotracer
Long buried pipelines
Easy detection
Exact location
Enormous amount of time, labour and money saving
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70. Detection of underground pipeline leakage
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71. In Essence ….
Radionuclides and Radiation play important roles in many fields that affect human welfare.
The impact of nuclear medicine in Medical field is very gratifying
In Agriculture and food industry radiation and radioisotope have a significant role to play
In industries too the use of radiations is steadily increasing for a variety of purposes
The futuristic predictions show an upward trend towards use of radiations/radionuclides
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72. Acknowledgements Dr. Gurcharan Singh, Head, IAD, BARC
Dr. S.F. D’Souza, Head, NA & BTD, BARC
Dr. A.K. Sharma, Head, FTD, BARC
Dr. S. Sabharwal, Head, RTDS, BARC
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73. Thank You!
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