Development of 241Am lung monitoring system using an imaging plate

A new 241Am lung monitoring system without shielding was devised by using an imaging plate system. The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's realistic torso phantom containing a 241Am lung was covered by imaging plates sealed in lightproof bags. The imaging plate system displayed 241Am lung images characteristic of the lung shape of the torso phantom. The imaging plate system's lower detection limits of 14 Bq for 60 min exposure and 6 Bq for 300 min were the same levels as those of the phoswich detectors and the germanium detectors placed in shielded rooms. The imaging plate system for 60 min exposure detected about 2% of the annual limit of 740 Bq for 241Am inhalation. A lung monitoring system using imaging plates is applicable for 241Am lung monitoring.