Re: NIH incident

[Tad_Blanchard@ccmail.gsfc.nasa.gov]

The Baltimore-Washington Chapter of the HPS Meeting scheduled for November 7, 
1995 will be discussing this particular topic.  The meeting place and time has 
not been finalized.  The Chapter newsletter says to call Cindy Boggs, 
301-903-2650 for further info.

______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: NIH incident
Author:  radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu at Internet
Date:    10/11/95 7:49 AM


The NIH P-32 contamination incident is in the news again (Washington Post, 
10/10/95).  The highest exposed person, a pregnant scientist, is claiming 
underestimation of her exposure and inappropriate pressure to terminate 
her pregnancy.
A consultant estimates 9.2 rem to her, 6.4 rem to the fetus.
NIH had initially estimated her uptake at 200-300 microcuries, later raised 
this to 600 uCi.  ORNL later assessed it to be 740-820 uCi.
[Note: This is all from the Post]
Recall: P-32 was found in water coolers, 26 people were contaminated, the 
pregnant woman was likely exposed via a contaminated sandwich.  There has 
been no further reports of the presumed continuing investigation.
     
SLABACK@MICF.NIST.GOV
   ...a little risk, like a bit of spice, adds flavor to life