Re[2]: I-131 question

[Danny_L_Rice@RL.gov]

     Isn't the concern directed at keeping the exposure of the technologist 
     to a minimum?  The technologist(s) will handle all of the I-131 doses 
     in preparing the materials for administration to the patient.  If the 
     nuclear medicine department does several of these procedures on a 
     routine basis it is reasonable to take some actions (ALARA) to address 
     the potential exposure of the techs.  Having been a nuc med tech in a 
     previous life and having been involved in a large number of these 
     procedures using liquid as well as caps, I certainly appreciated the 
     availability of a hood in which to prep the patient doses.
     
     Respectfully
     
     Danny L Rice
     danny_l_rice@ccmail.rl.gov


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: I-131 question
Author:  JMUCKERHEIDE@delphi.com at -MailLink
Date:    6/20/97 01:01


Bib Dunn wrote:
     
> Kellyv@aol.com wrote:
> > 
> > We are currently renovating the nuclear medicine department.  The question 
> > concerning the necessity of the fume hood has surfaced.  Is it necessary to
> > open I-131 CAPSULES under the hood?  (Small department; the hood is no 
longer
     
> > needed for anything else.)  Someone claims to have read that I-131 capsules 
> > should be opened under the hood. Please let me know if you have any
> > information on this.
> > 
> > Thanks for your help.
> > 
> > Kelly Vaughn
> > kellyv@aol.com
     
> Dear Kelly,
> We use a lot of 131-I at our facility. It is common practice to ensure 
> that 131-I materials (capsules, liquid, etc) should be opened under a 
> negative pressure hood. "Why?" you may ask. 131-I is volatile. Even 
> though it may be in capsule form, it is still volatile, and can escape 
> int to the air. To be safe, you probably should open them under a hood. 
> Bob Dunn
     
What fraction I-131 is assumed to volatilize? 10-6? 10-4? You are feeding 
I-131 to individuals. What studies show adverse effects to otherwise healthy 
patients from I-131? Thyroid? Leukemia? other? Now, what would be the "risk" 
if you opened all capsules in the room? in someone's mouth? Now, what other 
more costly, wasteful, burdens, and negative images of public risk, can be 
placed on the activities of nuclear medicine to drive it out of use? 
     
Regards, Jim Muckerheide
jmuckerheide@delphi.com
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Subject: Re: I-131 question
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