Re: More bad news

[amattox@mbl.edu (Andy Mattox)]

>About 15-30 microcuries of P-32 CTP (1-2 microliters) was intentionally
>dropped, using a micropipette, onto an office chair at a desk in a
>laboratory.  The victim then sat in the chair for 3-4 hours total during
>parts of 2 days.

>We measured (ion chamber and TLD independently) about 100 mrem/h thru
>clothing, giving the victim a dose of about 400 mrem external shallow dose
>equivalent to the skin of her buttocks.

I'm having trouble understanding these dose estimates. A 15 uCi spill of
P-32 in direct skin contact would produce a dose closer to 100 Rem/hr. Is
clothing really that effective as a shield?

amattox@mbl.edu

Andrew Mattox, CSP
Environmental Health and Safety Manager
Marine Biological Laboratory
7 MBL street
Woods Hole, Ma 02543
amattox@mbl.edu
508-289-7424


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