Structural Features of Fume Hood

A nuclear medical fume hood generally consists of a control area, a work area, and an auxiliary area. The control area is located in the upper section, convenient for daily use and observation by the operator. The work area is located in the middle, featuring a fully isolated, clean stainless steel work chamber with a lead glass window and handholes. The auxiliary area is located in the lower section, housing a shielded well for the activity meter ionization chamber and a shielded conveyor system for radioactive materials.

Function of Fume Hood

Nuclear medical fume hoods are chiefly utilized for the manipulation of volatile radioactive nuclides such as Tc-99m, F-18, and I-131. These compounds can volatilize when in a liquid state and can be inhaled or ingested, resulting in internal radiation risks. The negative pressure ventilation system of the fume hood specifically prevents the escape and volatilization of radioactive substances, thus safeguarding the operator and the surrounding area.

Working Principle of Nuclear Medicine Fume Hoods 

1. Integration of negative pressure and high-efficiency filtration technology to cleanse the air within the laboratory provides the working principle of Nuclear Medicine Fume hoods.  

2. As such, the Nuclear Medicine Fume Hoods, like all other Fume Hoods, possess exhaust devices at the tip which create negative air pressure. This ventilates the laboratory, capturing and containing any radioactive pollutants.  

3. For a safe working environment, the Nuclear Medicine Fume Hood needs to meet safety standards. For this, a high-efficiency filter is fitted to the hood, which safeguards the laboratory from radioactive particles and gases.