Preliminary estimation of air contamination with 131I in nuclear medicine establishments in Poland

The paper describes methods and results of measurements of 131I contamination in the air in a laboratory typical for nuclear medicine establishments using 131I for treatment. The measurements were carried out in a ''hot'' laboratory and a 7-bed therapy room for women patients using a special type apparatus developed in the Central Laboratory for Radiation Protection in Warsaw. The 131I concentrations in the air were 10.3x10-9Ci/m3 and 1.52x10-9Ci/m3, respectively. They exceeded the basic values of 131I concentrations in the air for respective categories of exposures, which indicate a potential radiation hazard. An analysis of the radiation hazard to personnel and other persons involved in the use of 131I sources in the above establishments was also made. Even though the 131I activities absorbed through the respiratory system and the thyroid were found not to exceed the standars (MPD) in force in Poland, further studies of 131I content in the urine and thyroids of the personnel seem to be called for. (author)