title: Radioactive contamination of packing materials from a xenon-133 shipment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We report on radioactive contamination of packing materials from a 133Xe shipment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 2-vial 133Xe shipment was monitored using a survey meter before opening. Both vials were immediately assayed in a dose calibrator. The packing materials were monitored and contamination was detected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The maximum surface reading of the shipment was 7.0 microSv/h. This was higher than previous shipments (1.1 +/- 0.3 microSv/h). One vial was 544 MBq while the other vial was only 474 MBq. Previous shipments were 565 +/- 13 MBq/vial. Monitoring and imaging revealed 133Xe contamination within the packing materials. Xenon-133 escaped from the packing materials over time. The lower activity vial continued to leak 133Xe over time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Careful monitoring of 133Xe shipments before and after opening along with assaying vials on receipt can indicate vial leakage and radioactive contamination so steps can be taken to minimize radiation exposure to the staff.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Safety Office and Nuclear Medicine Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky 40511-1093, USA. hackett.michael_t@lexington.med.va.gov
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Hackett
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Magoun
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D011137:Polystyrenes; D019064:Product Packaging; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D014980:Xenon Radioisotopes
chemical_list: D011137:Polystyrenes; D014980:Xenon Radioisotopes