RADIATION HAZARD IN THE TREATMENT OF SKIN DISEASES WITH THORIUM X
Possible hazards, particularly to the dermatologist and his assistants, in the use of local applications of thorium X (Ra/sup 224/) in salves and ointments for the treatment of skin diseases, such as psoriasis, nevus flammeus, and lichen ruber verrucosus, were assessed. The decay scheme of thorium X through its daughter products (thoron and thorium A, B, C, C', C", and D), the half lives of the products, and their emission characteristics are discussed. Studies in rats showed that topically applied ointment containing thorium X leads to measurable blood levels of radioactivity and deposition of daughter products in various tissues, including gonads. Radioautographs of rat lung and ovary demonstrated alpha -particle tracks in various tissue constituents. In humans receiving skin treatments with 1000 units thorium X (70 mu C/cm/sup 3/) the blood dose reached 2 rem, from which it was estimated that the whole-body dose would be approximates 3 rem/yr. In the treatment of a number of patients with a total of 30000 units thorium X, it was calculated that the whole-body to the person giving the treatment would be approximates 15 mr, although at chest level as much as 473 mr would be received. However, this is only 1/4 to 1/7 the permissible weekly gamma dose. Use of film dosimeters by persons applying treatments showed that the permissible dose was not being exceeded. Measurements of the radiation dose received by the personnel showed that it is mostly from inhalation of air in the treatment room. (TCO)
- Research Organization:
- Universitats-Hautklinik, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Ger.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-17-027608
- OSTI ID:
- 4687744
- Journal Information:
- Hautarzt (Austria), Vol. Vol: 12; Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-63
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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ADSORPTION
AIR
ALPHA PARTICLES
BISMUTH 212
BLOOD
BODY
DECAY
DISEASES
DOSEMETERS
DRUGS
FISSION PRODUCTS
GAMMA RADIATION
GONADS
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LEAD 208
LEAD 212
LUNGS
MATHEMATICS
MEASURED VALUES
MONITORING
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PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM
POLONIUM 216
PSORIASIS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOACTIVITY
RADIOAUTOGRAPHY
RADIUM 224
RADON 220
SAFETY
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STANDARDS
THALLIUM 208
TISSUES