In this study the identification, determination and distribution of metallic and radionuclidic contaminants in the synthesis of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose are presented. Samples of irradiated 18 O-enriched water, purification columns (anionic, C18, Al 2 O 3 ), final product and wastes were examined. Metallic contaminants were determined by ICP-MS and the radionuclide impurities by high resolution germanium gamma-spectrometry. Fifteen radionuclides were identified in the samples. The enriched water contained cationic contaminants ( 55 Co, 56 Co, 57 Co, 58 Co, 57 Ni, 52 Mn, 7 Be) while the anionic ( 95 Tc, 95m Tc, 96 Tc, 183 Re) were mostly retained in the QMA column. The sources of contamination by metals and radionuclides were determined. Results obtained by ICP-MS generally confirmed the radionuclide distribution obtained by gamma spectrometry.