PI with I-131 Treatment and Immediate Return to Work

[Myung Chul Jo <mjo@scs.unr.edu>]

I feel this issue may be an interest to some of us. A PI (professor) who
received I-131 treatment as an outpatient (15 mCi and 45% uptake) and she
was discharged with a few
instruction such as not to sleep with someone for next 5 days, and keep
distance from children. The PI returns to work next day (the procedure was 
performed at 3:30 pm the day before, about 20 hours ago). The person's
thyroid gives about 170 mr/hr near contact and 1.3 mr/hr about 4-5 feet
away where I was sitting. This was 
measured by pressurized ion chamber. This person is in a search
committee and expected to interview two persons which would take
at least 30 minutes each. They will be seating the chair I sat which has
the radiation level of 1.3 mR/hr. The PI agreed to use only a designated
toilet which has posting of her medical situation. No other coorporation
from the PI is expected. The PI simply stated to me that the medical
professions cleared me and I don't have any restrictions other than what
they instructed me.

Obviously, there are good potential for contamination and an avoidable
radiation levels exist. The RS manual is silent about case like this. I
spoke to the dept. chair about the case. He wished he didn't hear about.

What shall I do in this case? I would not want to sit by someone who has
measurable amount of radiation level. I will appreciate any suggestions. 

This is only my opinion...
Myung Chul Jo <mjo@scs.unr.edu>
University of Nevada, Reno
Health Physics/ MS 328
Reno, NV 89557
(702) 784-4540(voice)
(702) 784-4553(fax)