In-vivo thorium monitoring using a thoron in breath monitor

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

OSTI ID:394070

Johnson, J R; Olsen, P C ^[1]

---

1. Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richland, WA (United States)

Inhaled thorium will result in the exhalation of thoron ({sup 220}Rn) at a concentration that can be measured using an instrument called a thoron-in-breath monitor (TIBM). A person to be monitored for thorium is required to exhale into a collector for 30 min, exhaling a fraction of the thoron gas generated from the deposition of the thorium. The thoron progeny {sup 212}Bi and {sup 212}Po are then collected and the alpha activity measured. The calculated minimum detectable thoron in exhaled air is equivalent to an intake of 3 Bq of {sup 232}Th, or a fraction 0.075 and 0.03 of an ALI of Class W and Y thorium, respectively. A TIBM has been developed at Battelle, Pacific Northwest Laboratories (Battelle) to compliment current in vivo bioassay techniques used at Battelle`s In Vivo Radiciassay and Research Facility. Its design, development, and calibration is described.

• OSTI ID: 394070
• 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

56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIOASSAY
BISMUTH 212
BREATH
CALIBRATION
DESIGN
EXHALATION
IN VIVO
INHALATION
MONITORS
PERSONNEL DOSIMETRY
PERSONNEL MONITORING
POLONIUM 212
PROGENY
RADON 220
THORIUM
THORIUM 232