An Evaluation of In vivo Sensitivity via Public Monitoring

• Published in: Radiation protection dosimetry Vol. 89; no. 3-4; pp. 183 - 191
• Main Authors: Webb, J.L., Kirchner, T.B.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.07.2000
• Subjects: Applied radiobiology (equipment, dosimetry...); Biological and medical sciences; Biological effects of radiation; Environment. Living conditions; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Housing. Living conditions; Medical sciences; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Tissues, organs and organisms biophysics; Human; Evaluation; Radioactive pollution; Useful information; Natural radioactivity; Medical screening; In vivo; Radiation dose; Indoor installation; Surveillance; Indoor pollution; Population; Public information; Sensitization; Dosimetry
• ISSN: 0144-8420; 1742-3406
• DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.rpd.a033062

Citizen volunteers from the Carlsbad, New Mexico area were monitored for internally deposited radionuclides through a project entitled 'Lie Down and Be Counted'. This project is provided as an outreach service to the public to support education about naturally occurring and man-made radioactivity present in people and the environment prior to the opening of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). The bioassay measurements consisted of a lung and whole-body count. Prior to their bioassay, each subject completed a lifestyle questionnaire which included questions regarding their age, sex, weight, height, ethnicity, occupation, foreign travel, wild game consumption, smoking habit and any nuclear medicine procedures. Since a majority of these radionuclides were not detectable in local residents, a primary focus of the study was to evaluate the variability of human background and the implications with respect to measurement sensitivity.