Re: I-131 procedure bioassay requirement

[lovell@ICDC.COM]

Bill, I do not know the specifics of your situation or if it is too late
to contest whatever penalty you received for the "lack of bioassay", but
a few weeks ago Region I identified our failure to complete a bioassay
post I-131 administration (as well as other violations such as security
issues) and we only received a Level IV violation, which of course means
no penalty and no Enforcement Conference.  If you (or your
administrators) would like more information, please e-mail me.

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

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

RA>Dear Radsafers,

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

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

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

RA>Regards

RA>Richard

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