Re: Management of highly radioactive human cadavers

[Bob Loesch <loesch@spok.eh.doe.gov>]

>  From: "ALDEN N TSCHAECHE" <XAT@inel.gov>, on 3/12/96 10:55 AM:
>  
>  So, if the cremated patient is contaminated with licensed material, are
>  the contaminated ashes still subject to regulatory requirements as
>  radioactive material? Or should they be generally licensed? If so, under
>  what part of 10CFR? What say the regulators?? Al Tschaeche xat@inel.gov
>  

Al:

I can't speak for the NRC, but my "opinion" as an ex-NRCer is as follows:

10CFR35.75 allows for the release of a patient when the dose rate at one
meter is less than 5 mrem/hr and the activity in the patient is less than
30mCi.
However, my  belief is that a deceased individual ceases to be a patient and
now is considered either a container or just plain waste material.

10 CFR35.92 allows for the disposal of byproduct material in ordinary trash if
the material is "decayed in storage" and the half-lives are less than 65 days 
and the decay time is > 10 half-lives.

Since the original thread involved a patient having a stroke after I-131
therapy,
I'd probably suggest decay in "cold" storage for 3 months and then handle as
any other normal cadaver.   Autopsy prior to this time should be handled the
same as one would working on a highly contaminated injured individual with all
waste generated also being held for decay.

What says you? .....

Bob Loesch