IN VIVO GAMMA COUNTING AS A MEASUREMENT OF URANIUM IN THE HUMAN LUNG

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1960 · Health Physics (England)

OSTI ID:4155535

Cofield, R E

A direct, in vivo method is reported for the measurement of uranium within the human lung, utilizing the detection by scintillation spectroscopy of the gamma radiation accompanying alpha decay of the uranium. The in vivo gamma counting facility includes a low background counting chamber with 8-in. thick iron walls, NaI scintillation detector, and a multichannel pulse-height analyzer. To achieve a quantitative estimate of uranium concentration, two techniques for estimating the normal, nonvranium gamma activity at the characteristic uranium gamma energies have been developed. Calibrations have been derived from measurements of samples in phantoms simulating the human chest. The 186 kev gamma line from U/sup 235/ is the most suitable for measurement, but if secular equilibrium is assumed, the 90 kev lines of the uranium daughters may be used. The ratio of the 90 kev line to the 186 kev line may be used as an indication of U/sup 235/ abundance. Quantities as low as 50 per cent of the maximum permissible body burden of any of the isotopic enrichments investigated can be measured. (auth)

• Research Organization: Union Carbide Nuclear Co., Y-12 Plant, Oak Ridge, Tenn.
• NSA Number: NSA-14-010703
• OSTI ID: 4155535
• Journal Information: Health Physics (England), Journal Name: Health Physics (England) Vol. Vol: 2; ISSN HLTPA
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ALPHA DECAY
BACKGROUND
CONTAMINATION
ENERGY
GAMMA RADIATION
HEALTH AND SAFETY INCLUDING DOSIMETRY
IN VIVO
IONS
LUNGS
MAN
MEASURED VALUES
MPC
PULSE ANALYZERS
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIOACTIVITY
SAMPLING
SCINTILLATION COUNTERS
SHELLS
SHIELDING
SPECTROSCOPY
STANDARDS
SURFACES
THICKNESS
URANIUM