{sup 137}Cs internal contamination involving a Brazilian accident, and the efficacy of Prussian blue treatment

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Health Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-199403000-00002· OSTI ID:249868

Melo, D R; Lipsztein, J L; Oliveira, C A.N. de ^[1]

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1. Instituto de Radioprotecao e Dosimetria/CNEN, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil); and others

In an accident involving the stealing and breaching of a radiotherapy source in Goiania, Brazil, 39 individuals had a high level of {sup 137}Cs internal contamination. Prussian Blue was used, in doses that varied from 3-10 g V for adults, to enhance the elimination of {sup 137}Cs from the body. The total internal committed doses and the effect of Prussian Blue treatment for 15 contaminated adults involved in this accident have been evaluated in this paper. Prussian Blue caused dose reductions in the range of 51-84%, with an average of 71%. This reduction was shown to be independent of the dosage of Prussian Blue. Total internal committed doses were in the range of 4.6 x 10{sup -3} Gy to 9.7 x 10{sup -1} Gy for the most-contaminated adults. Data on {sup 137}Cs biological half-lives for seven children contaminated in the accident are also presented. 18 refs., 1 fig., 9 tabs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 249868
• Journal Information: Health Physics, Journal Name: Health Physics Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 66; ISSN HLTPAO; ISSN 0017-9078
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
ADULTS
BIOLOGICAL HALF-LIFE
BRAZIL
CESIUM 137
CHILDREN
DECONTAMINATION
DOSE COMMITMENTS
RADIATION ACCIDENTS
RADIATION DOSES