Re: S-35 Radioactive Contamination

["Zimmerman, Thomas L." <tlzimme@iastate.edu>]

A useful reference for skin dose is the paper by D. C. Kocher and K. F. 
Eckerman:  "Electron Dose-Rate Conversion Factors For External Exposure Of 
The Skin From Uniformly Deposited Activity On The Body Surface", Health 
Physics, Vol. 53, No.2, pages 135-141.  I would take a urine sample for any 
case of skin contamination, and would follow up with further samples if any 
activity was detected, as well as determinations of committed dose from the 
internal contamination.

Tom Zimmerman
tlzimme@iastate.edu
Iowa State University

 DISCLAIMER  *** These are my own thoughts and do not necessarily represent 
those of my employer ***
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From: root
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Re: S-35 Radioactive Contamination
Date: Thursday, March 02, 1995 1:37PM

There has been a discussion on simulation of contamination, and now I have
a real one that I need some advice on.

Yesterday, a student's thumb was contaminated with S-35 methionine. I
estimated 54 nCi in  a 1/2' X1/2" square area of the thumb? We tried all
the conventional decon methods. Nothing reduces thge activity.

Does anyone have a program that would calculate the dose to the skin at
that area?
Today the activity is down to 18 nCi. Is this because of the desquamation
of the skin or is there some absorption also?

What would be your advice on taking a  urine sample? grab sample? 24 hour
sample?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Ninni Jacob
Radiation Safety Officer
University of Rhode Island