Re: Contamination by Sr-90

[Peter Fundarek <P.FUNDAREK@utoronto.ca>]

Can someone provide information on best bioassay technique for Sr-90 
contamination arising from ingestion?  A person has shown up at a community 
health clinic claiming to have ingested Sr-90 and now wants to be tested.  
Unfortunately, in my experience, such persons are not disuaded by information 
and denials that such contamination could not happen.  This person has other 
problems that are not associated with the physical body.  According to the 
information that I have obtained, the person is claiming this ingestion occurred 
many months ago.

Is urine and fecal sample analysis still valid at this time?  The only whole 
body counter that we have available is equipped with NaI crystals, although I 
suppose we could see some bremsstrahlung from the Y-90.  Any information would 
be appreciated.

Oh, and by the way, the route of ingestion?  From soft drink cans purchased and 
consumed in the United States.  Makes me feel better in the frozen north to know 
that we don't add any nasty radioactive material to our Coke! :-)


Thanks for your attention to this one!

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Regards,
Peter J. Fundarek
University of Toronto
CANADA
email:  p.fundarek@utoronto.ca
phone:  (416) 978-2374
fax:  (416) 971-1384
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