Current approaches to the management of internally contaminated persons
Appropriate treatment for internal depositions of some radionuclides can reduce the radiation doses by as much as factors of two to ten. While at first thought that may seem a relatively small therapeutic effect, it is a useful gain for the patient in reducing the dose and may be a significant help in preventing late effects from the radiation. The list of important available treatments include agents that reduce gastrointestinal absorption, blocking and diluting compounds, mobilizing agents, and chelating drugs. Wound irrigation or excision and lung lavage are mechanical techniques that can reduce radionuclide depositions. Successful treatment depends on early application of these drugs and techniques following exposure. This must be done usually on the basis of very limited exposure information, which emphasizes the need for preplanning the medical emergency program if internal radioactive contamination is possible. In most cases, the risks of treatment are well identified. Since the exposure risks are often poorly understood when the decision for treatment must be made, the omission of treatment can be more serious than proceeding with a low or no risk therapeutic regimen.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7495-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 5824620
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-79-3054; CONF-791085-2; TRN: 80-002216
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Radiation accident preparedness conference, Oak Ridge, TN, USA, 19 Oct 1979
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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PERSONNEL
DECONTAMINATION
POST-IRRADIATION THERAPY
CHELATING AGENTS
DRUGS
RADIOISOTOPES
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INTESTINAL ABSORPTION
REMOVAL
CONTAMINATION
DILUTION
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CLEARANCE
ISOTOPES
THERAPY
UPTAKE
560171* - Radiation Effects- Nuclide Kinetics & Toxicology- Man- (-1987)