Abstract:This study systematically analyses the concrete activation problem and associated radiation risk caused by long-term operation of medical cyclotron. The research shows that medium energy (10–30 MeV) medical cyclotrons under high current operating conditions can induce concrete activation with penetration depths of 100–120 cm, mainly producing long-lived radionuclides such as Eu-152 and Co-60 with activity concentrations up to 600 Bq g−1 and 250 Bq g−1, respectively. Under operation at maximum design parameters, the peak ambient dose equivalent rate around the target chamber reaches 961 μSv h−1 at the end of operation and remains above 500 μSv h−1 even after two years of cooling, posing significant radiation risks to personnel. China’s current radiation safety management system faces the twin challenges of a lack of standards and insufficient radioactive waste management capacity. Based on international practices such as IAEA, recommendations are proposed to improve the management system in three dimensions: revision of regulations and standards, financial safeguards, and technological innovation.