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U.S. Department of Energy
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Feasibility of using sup 129 I concentrations in human tissue to estimate radiation dose from sup 131 I

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5585189· OSTI ID:5585189

To use data on {sup 129}I in human tissue to estimate an individual's past exposure to that radionuclide, it is necessary to know when and how the exposure occurred, and to know about any other prior and/or ongoing exposures. Moreover, to use {sup 129}I data to estimate past exposure to {sup 131}I, it is also necessary to know the relationship of the two radionuclides at the time of exposure. The relative quantities of {sup 131}I and {sup 129}I in gaseous effluents from Hanford Site facilities varied significantly because of the large variations in elapsed time between discharge of irradiated fuel from Hanford production reactors and initiation of chemical processing. The relationship of the two radionuclides also varied in the environment because the shorter-lived {sup 131}I decayed and the longer-lived {sup 129}I accumulated. Because of its extremely long half-life, {sup 129}I from both Hanford and non-Hanford sources (such as fallout from weapons testing) has accumulated in the environment. Without an associated exposure to {sup 131}I, chronic exposure to {sup 129}I deposited in the environment has contributed and continues to contribute to thyroid burdens. Based on investigations conducted to date, measured levels of {sup 129}I in human tissue will not provide a viable alternative for reconstruction of historical exposure to {sup 131}I. 5 refs.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE/DP
DOE Contract Number:
AC06-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
5585189
Report Number(s):
PNL-6889-HEDR; ON: DE90000919
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English