Methods of Minimizing Internal Dose - doe-hdbk-1106-97

DOE-HDBK-1106-97

Instructor's Notes

5.0

Methods of Minimizing Internal Dose

When handling radioactive animals or applying radionuclides

to animals, it is required that the handler wear gloves that can

be thrown away when contaminated. This will prevent the

transfer of radionuclides from hand to mouth and is equally

important when handling excreta or animal parts that may be

radioactive.

Procedures for handling of the animal should be implemented

to reduce the possibility of animal bites. This would include

such activities as sedation of the animal in some procedures

and special handling techniques for specific animals in other

procedures. Both the researcher and the animal handler should

be trained in these procedures.

6.0

Methods of Minimizing Cross Contamination

Cross contamination may cause the radioactive materials used

in one experiment to turn up unexpectedly in the results of

another. Since some experiments utilize only minute amounts

of radionuclides while others use large amounts, it is easy to

visualize the confusion when large amounts of unknown

radionuclides appear suddenly in a low-level experiment.

118