Re: I-131 capsules

[Vere Smyth <vere@nrl.moh.govt.nz>]

I understand that I-131 capsules contain compressed powder, rather like a
pill encapsulated with gelatine.  In what sense is it "leaking"?  Is this
just diffusion of iodine gas?  Do some capsules contain liquid?  I don't see
how the powder could leak.   Who was the manufacturer?

Vere Smyth
National Radiation Laboratory
PO Box  25 099
Christchurch
NEW ZEALAND
Ph:    0064-3-366-5059
Fax:  0064-3-366 1156
email:  vere@nrl.moh.govt.nz

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From: Jones, Pauline
To: Vere Smyth; Andrew McEwan
Subject: Re: I-131 capsules
Date: Thursday, 2 October 1997 07:28

We detected a thyroid burden on a technologist who after transferring
the capsule to a container for patient administration handled the
cotton packing in the original container with her bare hands. The
capsule itself was leaking and had contaminated all of the packing
material. We have found a number of leaking capsules.
Pauline Jones
Radiation Safety Office
Dalhousie University
1391 Seymour Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Canada, B3H 3M6
pjones@kilcom1.ucis.dal.ca