Gamma-ray spectrometry of humans at the University of Utah

Abstract

A human total-body counter was designed and built with two 20 X 10 cm NaI (Tl) crystals suspended over an "isoresponse surface" upon which the subject reclines. This surface is curved from head to knee and from left to right, so that a gamma-ray emitting object is detected with equal efficiency when placed anywhere upon it. The positioner and detectors are housed in a low background enclosure constructed of steel 31 cm thick with a graded inner lining of lead + cadmium + copper. Calibration of the system was accomplished by administering trace amounts of various radionuclides to 48 human subjects of various sizes, ranging in age from 4--80 years. Counting rates per retained muCi at 0.53, 0.66, 1.53, and 2.75 MeV (83Rb, 137Cs, 42K, and 24Na) were determined as a function of body size and were compared with counting rates per muCi of corresponding emitters centered in a polyethylene cylinder of radius 10.3 cm. Limits of detection, corresponding to three times the standard deviation of a 50 min background, were 170 nCi 90Sr (via Bremsstrahlung X-rays), 0.78 nCi 131I, 0.48 nCi 83Rb, 0.52 nCi 137 Cs, 4.9 nCi 40K (or 5.8 g of natural potassium) and 1.7 nCi 222Rn.

¹³⁷Cs Environmental Half-life without Remediation: Impact on Radiation Dose

“…All 137 Cs measurements were performed at University of Utah Radiobiology Facility (LLOYD et al 1979). The detailed analytical and measurement techniques to determine 137 Cs concentration in milk and 137 Cs in-vivo whole-body measurements in humans were published previously (BROOKS 1963).…”