Excision - DOE-HDBK-1145-2001

Radiological Safety Training for Plutonium Facilities

DOEHDBK11452001

Student's Guide

To avoid long-term depletion, Ca-DTPA is

administered initially, then followed with Zn-

DTPA. Ca-DTPA should never be used in the

treatment of pregnant women since it could

cause birth defects.

Substantial dose reductions can be achieved if

DTPA is administered within a few hours

(recommended within one hour) of the intake.

Dose reductions from 10% to 90% have been

achieved for wound or burn cases and up to

30% for inhalation cases

2. Excision

Because it is difficult to detect contamination in

an injection/wound, a radiation measurement

instrument called a wound counter is used. If

the wound counter reveals contamination,

excision is sometimes recommended. Excision

is the surgical removal of contaminated tissue.

If a large amount of contamination is located at

the wound site, excision can dramatically

reduce the exposure. Dose reductions of up to

a factor of 100 have been achieved with

excision.

Usually, only a small amount of tissue is

removed. This does not present a significant

health hazard.

VI. Radiological Controls

A. Hierarchy of controls

The preferred hierarchy of controls is listed below:

Engineered

Administrative

Personnel protective clothing/equipment