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METHODOLOGY AT CIEMAT WHOLE BODY COUNTER FOR IN VIVO MONITORING OF RADIOIODINE IN THE THYROID OF EXPOSED POPULATION
B Pérez López1, J F Navarro1, M A López1
1Whole Body Counter, Internal Dosimetry Service, Radiation Dosimetry Unit (CIEMAT), Avda. Complutense 40, Madrid, Spain.
Radiation Protection Dosimetry
|March 28, 2018
Summary
This study details a new method for monitoring radioiodine (Iodine-131) in the thyroid after nuclear accidents. The developed system ensures reliable detection of internal contamination, protecting public health.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear physics and radiological protection.
- Medical physics and instrumentation.
- Environmental health and emergency response.
Background:
- Iodine-131 is a significant radiological hazard post-nuclear accidents.
- In vivo monitoring of radioiodine in the thyroid is crucial for exposed populations.
- Accurate calibration of detection systems requires age- and size-specific phantoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a methodology for in vivo radioiodine monitoring in thyroids during emergencies.
- To calibrate detection systems using custom-fabricated thyroid-neck phantoms.
- To establish detection limits and assess the effectiveness of monitoring for public protection.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of thyroid-neck phantoms of varying sizes by CIEMAT.
- Calibration of a Low-Energy Germanium (LEGe) detector and a Fastscan Counter using Iodine-131 vial sources within phantoms.
- Determination of counting efficiencies as a function of age and thyroid size.
- Calculation of detection limits (DL) for Iodine-131.
Main Results:
- Counting efficiencies were obtained for different age groups and thyroid sizes.
- Detection limits for Iodine-131 were established: 5-8 Bq for LEGe detector and 26-42 Bq for Fastscan.
- The system can detect intakes resulting in Committed Effective doses well below 1 mSv.
Conclusions:
- The developed methodology provides reliable in vivo monitoring of radioiodine in the thyroid.
- The system is effective for assessing internal contamination in the general population following accidental exposure.
- Early detection and monitoring capabilities ensure public health protection against Iodine-131 exposure.
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