What is the purpose of a sodium iodide well counter?

The purpose of a sodium iodide well counter is to perform the determination of radioactivity from wipe tests and leak tests. This device is designed to measure radiation levels and is particularly sensitive to gamma radiation, which makes it an ideal tool for detecting the presence of radioactive substances on surfaces.

In the context of wipe tests, samples are collected from surfaces to check for contamination, and the well counter can then quantify any radioactive activity present in these samples. This is essential for ensuring safety in a nuclear medicine facility by confirming that areas and equipment are free from harmful levels of contamination.

Leak tests are also routinely conducted to ensure that sealed sources and radiopharmaceutical containers do not leak radioactive material. The well counter enables precise measurements of any radioactivity that may be detected in such tests, providing critical information for regulatory compliance and patient safety.

While monitoring contamination levels and measuring background radiation are important tasks, they are not the primary function of a sodium iodide well counter. Similarly, calibration of radiopharmaceuticals involves different processes and equipment that focus on the accurate dosing of these substances rather than direct measurement of radioactivity from samples.