Validation and optimization of nasal swipe analyses

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · Health Physics

OSTI ID:394005

Metcalf, R A; Martin, R W; Montoya, A A ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Laboratory, NM (United States)

The Health Physics Analysis Laboratory (HPAL) performed around 30,000 nasal swipe analyses for transuranic nuclides each year in support of worker health and safety at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The analysis methodology employs cotton swabs swiped inside a nostril and liquid scintillation analyses of the swabs. The validity of a non-homogeneous sample for liquid scintillation as well as alternative methods has been questioned. A study of the current method shows it provides reliable, stable, and useful data as an indicator of personnel contamination. The study also provided insight into the underlying processes which occur to allow the analysis. Review of this process shows that the method can be further optimized while providing similar results which can be obtained while using less materials than the current analysis Method. This reduction will save HPAL the cost of materials as well as greatly reduce the waste created.

• OSTI ID: 394005
• Report Number(s): CONF-9607135--
• Journal Information: Health Physics, Journal Name: Health Physics Journal Issue: Suppl.6 Vol. 70; ISSN HLTPAO; ISSN 0017-9078
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
CONTAMINATION
COST
LANL
NOSE
PERSONNEL MONITORING
RADIATION DOSES
VALIDATION