Phosphorus-32 (P-32) - doe-hdbk-1106-97

DOE-HDBK-1106-97

PHOSPHORUS-32 (P-32)

Instructor's Notes

Phosphorus-32 is a high-energy beta emitter that may create a whole

body, skin, and an eye hazard. Most common means of detection is

with a thin-window probe or liquid scintillation.

1. Maximum energy: 1.71 MeV; the average energy is

0.570 MeV.

2. Maximum range in air: 19 feet (6 m).

3. Maximum range in tissue: 8 mm.

4. IAEA toxicity classification: Medium-low.

5. Physical half-life: 14.29 days.

6. Effective half-life (Teff): 10-14 days.

7. Critical organ:

Bone for transportable compounds.

Lung and lower large intestine are critical organs for

inhalation and ingestion, respectively.

8. Personnel monitoring: Dosimeter and finger rings, uptakes

may be determined by urinalysis.