A bioassay experience and lessons learned on the internal contamination of (131)I during a maintenance period in a Korean nuclear power plant.
During a maintenance period at a Korean nuclear power plant, internal exposure of radiation workers occurred by the inhalation of (131)I that was released into the reactor building from a primary system opening due to defective fuels. The internal activity in radiation workers contaminated by (131)I was immediately measured using a whole body counter (WBC). A whole body counting was performed again a few days later, considering the factors of equilibrium in the body. The intake and the committed effective dose were estimated based on the WBC results. The intake was also calculated by hand, based on both the entrance records to the reactor building, and the counted results of the air concentration for (131)I were compared with the whole body counting results.
KHNP Central Research Institute, 25-1, Jangdong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-343, Republic of Korea. hkkim1@khnp.co.kr
Hee Geun
HG
Kim
Tae Young
TY
Kong
D001681:Biological Assay; D001822:Body Burden; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055848:Nuclear Power Plants; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D056910:Republic of Korea; D014915:Whole-Body Counting
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes