[ RadSafe ] Radioactive deceased person

[Flanigan, Floyd]

The isotopes used in the majority of radiopharmaceuticals have very short half lives so that is a simple matter of decay. Seeds, I am sure, can be removed post mortem by the concerned hospital. Pacemakers and the like are carried around inside the subject while alive. The issue of disposition for burial is not unlike that of smoke detectors I would imagine. The quantity is most likely very small. Also, the majority of coffins are hermetically sealed so the ground water issue should be moot. But ... I am just shooting from the hip here. Check the regs thoroughly before advising this hospital.

Floyd W.Flanigan B.S.Nuc.H.P.

-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl [mailto:radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl]On
Behalf Of Nielsen, Erik
Sent: Monday, February 07, 2005 2:45 PM
To: 'radsafe at radlab.nl'
Subject: [ RadSafe ] Radioactive deceased person


I received a request for assistance on this subject which is outside my area
of expertise. 

What NRC regulations cover disposition of a deceased person who contains
radioactivity?  Three different scenarios come to mind:  Nuclear medicine
injection procedures (death occurring before patient release for radiation
levels), radioactive seeds in an individual and devises with radioactive
material (pace maker/defibrillator....are they still in use?).

This hospital organization is concerned about liability issues from a
regulatory standpoint as well as to operators of crematoria that might
become contaminated.

If a person met the criteria to be discharged, left the hospital and then
died in an accident and was cremated promptly would the hospital face any
liability from the crematoria operator?

The person looking for advise is not a member of RADSAFE so please send any
suggestions to:  Karen Parton  Karen.Parton at UMCSN.COM, University Medical
Center of Southern Nevada.



Erik C. Nielsen
Senior Scientist
Remote Sensing Laboratory
P.O. Box 98521, M/S RSL-11
Las Vegas, NV 89193-8521

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