title: Leakage testing of medical radium sources.
abstract: The results of leakage tests on approximately 2000 clinical radium sources in current use in several hospitals are presented. The tests were carried out using a liquid scintillation immersion method. Less than 1% of the sources leaked radon gas (222Rn) to an extent greater than 1 nCi/24 h. The consequences of a small leakage of radon from a source while implanted in tissue are considered and compared with the hazards and problems created when sources leak during storage. A leakage rate of 1 nCi/24 h is suggested as an appropriate limit beyond which sources should be removed from use.
mesh_terms: D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D011835:Radiation Protection; D011883:Radium
chemical_list: D011883:Radium