In-vivo thorium monitoring using a thoron in breath monitor
- 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
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