Technical Assistance Request, Angell Memorial Animal Hospital, Boston, MA; Release to Unrestricted Area of Animals Containing Iodine-131

HPPOS-286 PDR-9306180040

See memorandum from J. E. Glenn to R. E. Bellamy dated March 11, 1993.

This memo responds to a technical request from Region I, dated November 25, 1992, regarding Angell Memorial Hospital's request to release animals treated with iodine-131 (I-131) when the dose rate is less than 1 mR/hr at 6 inches.

The licensee was previously authorized to perform radionuclide therapy on animals with iodine-131 (I-131) and phosphorus-32 (P-32). In a previous application for a material license, the licensee provided an "Instruction to Owners" sheet, which appears to have provided adequate care and handling instructions to the owners. Authorization was granted, with the reasoning that human patients are allowed to be released at a level twenty times greater than the limit requested. If the animal had to be held until it reached background levels, the procedure would become prohibitively expensive, and the stress on the animal would also be increased. The dose that the owner would receive should be minimal if they are given instruction and the animal is handled as little as possible.

Therefore, provided that the licensee provides and commits to distribute a similar "Instructions to Owners" sheet to owners of animals undergoing radioiodine therapy, and provides a demonstration that the limits in 10 CFR 20.1301 will not be exceeded for any member of the public, licensee's request was approved.

Regulatory References: 10 CFR 20.1301, 10 CFR 35, License Conditions

Subject codes: 3.6, 11.2, 11.5

Applicability: Byproduct Material