Phosphorus-33 (P-33) - doe-hdbk-1106-97

DOE-HDBK-1106-97

Instructor's Notes

PHOSPHORUS-33 (P-33)

Phosphorus-33 is a low-energy beta emitter. Most common means of

detection is with a thin-window probe or liquid scintillation.

1. Maximum energy: 0.248 MeV; the average energy is

0.083 MeV.

2. Maximum range in air: 1.5 feet (0.5 m).

3. Maximum range in tissue: 1 mm.

4. IAEA toxicity classification: Medium-low.

5. Physical half-life: 24.4 days.

6. Effective half-life (Teff): 10-24 days.

7. Critical organ:

Bone for transportable compounds.

Lung and lower large intestine are critical organs for

inhalation and ingestion, respectively.

8. Personnel monitoring: NOT detected with a dosimeter

(TLD or film) dosimeter and finger rings, uptakes may

be determined by urinalysis.