Assessment of intake and internal dose from iodine-131 for exposed workers handling radiopharmaceutical products

Two methods for determination of internal dose due to 131I intake during the preparation and handling of iodine radiopharmaceutical products have been compared. The first method was based on the measurement of 131I in 24-hour urine samples while the second method was based on the measurement in vivo of 131I in thyroid. The results have shown that urine analysis method can be used as a screening test but not for internal dose assessment of exposed workers. Thyroid monitoring method was found to be more reliable and accurate method for assessing internal dose from 131I intake. In addition, the assessed internal dose showed that the annual internal effective dose for some workers was below 1 mSv with no risk classification, whereas the results of other group of workers were between 1 and 6 mSv with low risk classification. Only one worker reached 7.66 mSv with high risk classification; and this worker must be monitored individually. - Highlights: • Internal dose from 131I was assessed for exposed workers in Syria. • Two methods of occupational monitoring were used. • Significant doses were recorded for some workers. • The results indicated that urine measurements could be used as a screening test. • Thyroid monitoring is more reliable and accurate to assess radioiodine intake