Geiger counter is used to detect radiation. Is there an instrument that makes a full human body scan for internal contamination by radioactive particulates/substances and able to localize it?
Yes. There are many types of whole body scanners for radionuclides; medical and dosimetric. Please perform an internet search.
Joseph L Alvarez Thanks for reply. I found only for external body detection and with low accuracy for localization. For that type of scanner, even portable detector will do. What I am looking for is the type of scanner with similar resolution of PET scan that detects radio-nuclides inside body.
Dear Adam Szewczyk ,
I must refer to the answer of Joseph L Alvarez ;
please google; in your case for 'SPECT' (single photo emission computed tomography).
SPECT will deliver a 3-dimensional distribution of gamma radiation sources*) in the body.
Alpha and beta emitters cannot be detected directly via the alpha and beta emission because their path lengths in tissue is very small...
*) of sufficient high photon energy; the gammas have to be able to escape from the body...
Best regards
G.M.
Hi Adam Szewczyk , your question does not include probably one of the most important information; what radionuclides are you dealing with? Basically, the type of radiation emitted defines what detector you could use. For alpha/beta emitters, whole body scan is extremely challenging (close to impossible) even if there are characteristic x-rays emitted.
The next thing to consider is the biokinetics of the radionuclides; for example, if it is a bone-seeker (Sr-90) the localization may be straightforward. But, if you have something soluble then it can be very difficult to localize. Unless, of course you are looking at the bladder and maybe the kidneys and liver.
Another thing to consider; depending on the activity present, the measurement time required to get a good signal (with high confidence) can be too long for an individual to stand still. Therefore, the detection efficiency should also be considered.
These are some things I believe you should consider when you researching what detector may fit your needs.
Good luck,
dimitris
For detection of internal contamination, knowledge about the kind of contaminating radionuclide is necessary. One can detect gamma radionuclide contamination using various scanning devices but internal contamination due to alpha and beta radionuclide cannot be carried out with afore mentioned scanners, contamination due to primary radionuclide. One can detect external contamination with GM, IC counters.
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