title: FREQUENCY OF FLAME SENSOR ACTIVATION IN PUBLIC PLACES AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF RADIOACTIVE IODINE TO TREAT GRAVES DISEASE: A RECENT SURVEY.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ultraviolet (UV)-perception-type flame sensors detect gamma rays emitted from iodine 131 ((131)I). Explaining the possibility of flame sensor activation to patients when they receive (131)I to treat Graves disease or other ablative purposes is important. We investigate the current situation of flame sensor activation after radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 318 patients (65 males and 253 females) with Graves disease who received RAI therapy at our clinic between November 2007 and June 2014 participated in this study. Patients were given both written and oral explanations regarding the possibility of flame sensor activation. Participants were surveyed with a questionnaire. The following question was asked: "Did the fire alarm (flame sensor) go off when you used a restroom in places like shopping centers within a few days after your isotope therapy?" To those who answered "yes," we asked where the fire alarm had gone off.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 318 patients, 19 (6.0%) answered "yes," 2 of whom were male while 17 were female. Of the 299 (94.0%) patients who answered "no," 63 were male and 236 were female. As to the place of restroom sensor activation, shopping centers were reported by 9 patients; supermarkets by 5; airports by 2; and a bookstore, the Kyushu Shinkansen (bullet train), and a hospital by 1 each.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Explaining to patients the possibility of flame sensor activation after RAI therapy is important to avoid some complications, especially in security-sensitive areas.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  (131)I = iodine 131 RAI = radioactive iodine UV = ultra-violet.
authors.forename: Junichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tajiri
authors.forename: Katsuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hamada
authors.forename: Tetsushi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maruta
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mizokami
authors.forename: Kiichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Higashi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005390:Fires; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017150:Public Sector / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes