CLINICAL APPLICATIONS OF ACTIVATION ANALYSIS
Applications of activation analysis in hospital practice, clinical science, and forensic pathology are discussed. Procedures are described for the determination of arsenic following activation of samples in a nuclear reactor. The procedure was applied in measurements of arsenic levels in normal hair from a group of 100 subjects. A correlation was made with smoking habits, since cigarettes were found to contain an appreciable amount of arsenic presumably from insecticides used on the plants. Results were negative. Measurements revealed elevated arsenic content of hair, finger nails, skin, and beard hair from a patient with suspected arsenical poisoning. Inquiry revaaled that for the past 12 years he had consumed daily doses of a mixture containing arsenic and potassium bromide. A worker in a sheep dip factory was also found to have elevated arsenic levels in skin, nails, hair, and beard. Levels of arsenic in beard hair dropped from 3.12 ppm to 0.94 ppm during a month's hospital stay. An account is included of a police investigation of suspected criminal arsenical poisoning being dropped following activation analysis of samples of vomitus. The methods used for arsenic are also applicable to determinations of antimony, copper, manganese, phosphorus, mercury, and zinc. (C.H.)
- Research Organization:
- Western Regional Hospital Board, Glasgow; Glasgow Univ.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-13-006426
- OSTI ID:
- 4269428
- Report Number(s):
- A/CONF.15/P/69
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-59
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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