Body Counter Evaluations of Plutonium Exposures

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Abstract
Body counter measurements have been made on individuals who have undergone accidental exposure to 239Pu. The liver, lungs and other parts of the body were measured. The exposures are the result of contaminated wounds and inhalations. 241Am is present in the plutonium to which the individuals have been exposed. 241Am, which emits a 60-ke V (Kilo electron volts] gamma-ray, is used as tracer for making plutonium measurements. A plastic phantom was used to calibrate the counter by placing known amounts of 239Pu and 241Am into the major internal organs. The data were collected with a 512-channel pulse-height analyzer and a 4-in. by 4-mm-thick, thin-window NaI(T1) detector. A gas flow proportional detector presently under development was used to supplement the scintillation detectors. About 150 unexposed people have been examined in the counter in order to establish background levels for a variety of body weights and 137cs-40k content. These background levels are used as a basis for determining internal deposition.

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