Packaging and storage—
Preserve in single-dose vials having leak-proof stoppers, at room temperature. The vials are enclosed in appropriate lead radiation shields. The vial content may be diluted with air and is packaged at atmospheric pressure.
Labeling—
Label it to include the following: the name of the preparation; the container volume, MBq (mCi) of 127Xe per container; the amount of 127Xe expressed as megabecquerels (millicuries) per mL; the intended route of administration; recommended storage conditions; the date of calibration; the expiration date; the name, address, and batch number of the manufacturer; the statement “Caution—Radioactive Material”; and a radioactive symbol. The labeling contains a statement of radionuclide purity, identifies probable radionuclidic impurities, and indicates permissible quantities of each impurity. The labeling indicates that in making dosage calculations, correction is to be made for radioactive decay, and also indicates that the radioactive half-life of 127Xe is 36.41 days.
Radionuclide identification (see Radioactivity 
821
)—
Its gamma-ray spectrum is identical to that of a known specimen of xenon 127 that exhibits major photopeaks at 202.8 keV, and 172.1 keV, and 375.0 keV. Minor photopeaks from other xenon radioisotopes, namely Xe 129m (197 keV) and Xe 131m (164 keV) may also be present.
Radionuclidic purity—
Using a suitable counting assembly (see
Selection of a Counting Assembly under
Radioactivity 821), determine the radioactivity of the Xe 127 in the gas by use of a calibrated system as directed under
Radioactivity 821. Using the gamma-ray spectrum, determine the energy of each gamma photopeak. Identify each radionuclide present, and using the established detector efficiency and known gamma abundance, calculate the quantity of each radionuclide present in the specimen in MBq (mCi). The amount of Xe 127 present in the specimen is not less than 80%; the quantity of either Xe 131m or Xe 129m does not exceed 10%, and no other radioisotope exceeds 1%.
