Re: Iodine capsules and rad

["Mike Bohan" <mike.bohan@yale.edu>]

        Reply to:   RE>>Iodine capsules and radiophobia

Hi Rad Safers,

We use I-131 capsules almost exclusively.  In 12 years of thyroid monitoring
(15-30, 100 mCi+ cases/year),  We haven't documented a significant occupational
uptake (Infinite thyroid dose > 10 mRem).  It can happen, I recall an article in
Health Physics about 7-10 years ago about an incident in Rhode Island, where the
individuals mistakenly thought the capsules were sealed sources and handled them
and the lead shields without gloves.  However, with good H.P. practices, the
occupational uptake of I-131 can easily be kept for all practical purposes very
low.  

In my experience of 6 years with liquid I-131 for medical purposes, even liquid
administrations can be handled safely, with minimal uptakes, if handled by
competent individuals.  In that program, we even used to collect, assay and
store all the urine for decay without significant thyroid uptakes.  (I don't
recommend doing this unless special circumstances apply!)

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Michael J. Bohan, RSO   |  e-mail: mike.bohan@yale.edu
Yale-New Haven Hospital |    Tele: (203) 785-2950
Radiological Physics    |     FAX: (203) 737-4252
20 York St. - WWW 204   |    As usual, everything I say may be plausibly
New Haven, CT    06504  |    denied at my employer's convenience ...
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