Re: I-131 procedure bioassay requirement

["Bass, Billy G." <bgb3@mhg.edu>]

Regarding the bioassay requirement, we had a case where a technologist 
transferred I-131 capsules from the shipping container to the dosing 
container without using the hood (capsules are sealed, right?).  That 
individual received an elevated thyroid burden of iodine.  I don't remember 
the exact level, but the effective dose was estimated at about 1 rem.  Since 
then all handling of capsules (diagnostic or therapeutic) are performed in 
an approved hood.  In a related incident, some of our nuclear physicians 
felt that they did not have to get the bioassays because "they did not 
participate directly in the administration of the iodine".  The NRC 
disagreed, and a number of us got an invitation to King-of-Prussia for an 
enforcement conference, a fine, and some very unpleasant publicity which the 
Board of Directors did no appreciate.  To quote the old adage "a word to the 
wise..."

Bill Bass
RSO Washington Hospital Center
 ----------
From: radsafe%romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Re: I-131 procedure bioassay requirement
Date: Tuesday, September 30, 1997 5:54PM

Dear Radsafers,

The discussions on the need for bioassays when using I-131 capsules has been
restricted purely to the legal requirements under the various US 
legislation.

No one has mentioned whether they have ever detected a significant internal
contamination problem from the administration of I-131 capsules, from their
routine bioassays.

Bioassays after I-131 administration are not legally required in NSW,
Australia, and are not routinely performed. Does any one have data which
would suggest that we should be doing bioassays routinely?

Regards

Richard

Richard Smart PhD
Department of Nuclear Medicine
St. George Hospital
Kogarah, NSW 2217
Australia
Tel:61 2 9350 3112
Fax:61 2 9350 3991
Email:R.Smart@unsw.edu.au