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RE: A Question for Power Reactor Types and others with portal monitors.
Peter and other Radsafers
I've just finished a study for Health Canada on this subject and would like
to be copied on any responses.
One of my findings was that NM patients "trigger" the gate monitors on the
way IN to Nuclear Facilities. The rate is ~ one/month at Nuclear Power
Facilities in Canada.
John
_________________
John R Johnson, Ph.D.
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President, IDIAS, Inc
4535 West 9-Th Ave
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or most mornings
Consultant in Radiation Protection
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-----Original Message-----
From: owner-radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu
[mailto:owner-radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu]On Behalf Of
Peter.Vernig@MED.VA.GOV
Sent: April 6, 2004 12:26 PM
To: Radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu
Subject: A Question for Power Reactor Types and others with portal
monitor s.
Group,
I have been pondering the issue of Nuclear Medicine patients setting off
Homeland Security radiation detectors.
There apparently have been scattered incidents so far but NRC published an
information notice on it suggesting a verbal explanation and a business card
be given to patients that could set off such alarms.
I did an impromptu, very quick and VERY dirty test using about 850 uCi of
Tc-99m behind my back [to simulate in the body rather than a point source
and set off waste alarms at about ten feet (3m).
Among the challenges in trying to inform patients and security personnel is
how long a patient may set off an alarm. We have had personnel here receive
a heart study using Tl-201, usual dose 4 or 5 mCi, trip our waste alarm at
"almost a month" after the procedure.
I am slow on the uptake but I just realized this is something I have heard
about at power plants and DOE facilities using portal monitoring systems.
Can any of you out there give me any information about how long people that
have had NM studies continue to trip portal monitors. Any publications that
address this?
Any opinions expressed in this message are mine alone and do not necessarily
represent those of the Eastern Colorado VA Health Care System, The
Department of Veterans Affairs, or the United States Government.
Peter G. Vernig
Radiation Safety Officer, VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System, 1055
Clermont St. Denver, CO 80220, ATTN: RSO MS 115; peter.vernig@med.va.gov;
personal peter_vernig@hotmail.com; 303.399.8020 ext. 2447, FAX: 303.393-5026
Alternate fax 303-377-5686
"...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is
pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is found to be
excellent or praiseworthy, let your mind dwell on these things."
Paul of Tarsus
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