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Chambers designed to allow the safe manipulation and/or dispensing of highly radioactive substances. These chambers (also known as hot cells) are highly shielded with thick walls constructed of various materials (e.g., concrete, lead, steel, depleted uranium) intended to limit radiation exposure outside the chamber. The hot cell walls typically incorporate highly shielded viewing windows, providing a sight line to the chamber\'s interior, and access doors, allowing equipment to be placed in the chamber and/or allowing for cleaning. Some hot cells include mechanical tongs or telemanipulation systems that allow users to manipulate equipment inside the chamber. Additionally, hot cells incorporate an exhaust system intended to keep the interior of the chamber at a negative pressure relative to the exterior environment to limit the potential for radioactive material to escape the chamber. Hot cells are typically used in nuclear medicine departments during the production of various radiopharmaceuticals.
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