PPE and engineering controls
PPE for Ac-225 is designed around two distinct hazards: external gamma from daughters (handled with shielding) and internal contamination from alpha-emitting particulate (handled with PPE and engineering controls). Designing for one without the other is the most common failure mode on early-stage programs.
Standard PPE for hot-lab and administration
Body and hands
Lab coat or surgical gown over scrubs. Double nitrile gloves with frequent outer-glove changes after each handling step. Disposable shoe covers dedicated to the restricted area.
Face and eyes
Splash-rated eye protection during dose preparation and administration. Surgical mask as standard; consider N95 or PAPR for any operation with credible aerosolization risk, per RSO assessment.
Dosimetry on PPE
Whole-body badge on the trunk outside the lead apron (if used). Ring badge on the dominant hand, oriented per AMP guidance. PPE-attached badges stay in the restricted area between uses.
Engineering controls
Compounding and dose preparation
HEPA-ventilated containment with shielded L-block sized for Bi-213. Negative-pressure where the program design supports it. Drip trays, absorbent liners, and dedicated tools that do not leave the hood.
Transport and administration
Vial pig and syringe shield sized for Bi-213. Dedicated transport cart for the short trip from hot lab to administration room. Absorbent pads under any work surface that may contact the dose.
If your hood is shared with diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals (Tc-99m, F-18, etc.), it's worth deciding explicitly — and documenting — whether Ac-225 work happens in the same hood, on a dedicated tray, or in a separate hood. Cross-contamination of a diagnostic workflow with alpha activity is painful to resolve, so it's worth designing out.