Methods to Assess Intake of Depleted Uranium
Rajko M. Spaić1, Branka A. Djurović2, and Vesna M. Spasić-Jokić3
1 Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro
2 Radiation Protection Department, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro
3 Laboratory of Physics, VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro
Corresponding author: Vesna Spasić-Jokić
Laboratory of Physics (010)
VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences
P.O. Box. 522
11001 Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro
Telephone: +381- 11- 244-77-00
Fax number: +381-11-444-7963
E-mail: svesna@vin.bg.ac.yu
CEJOEM 2003, Vol.9. No.4.: 279–283
Key words:
Depleted uranium, minimum detectible activity, gamma camera, calibration
Abbreviations:
DU = Depleted Uranium
MDA = Minimum Detectable Activity
NNA = Neutron Activation Analysis
TEM = Tissue Equivalent Material
VEP = Visual Evoked Potential
WBC = Whole Body Counter
Abstract:
This paper presents the results of testing gamma camera as an alternative method for whole
body counter to determine the intake of depleted uranium (DU). Several other available methods,
such as nuclear activation analysis with gamma spectrometry, alpha spectrometry, lasers
fluorometry, and X-ray fluorescent analysis, were also tested. Laser fluorometry is recommended
for urine analysis, while gamma camera is questioned as a screening method for assessment of
internal radionuclide contamination. Therefore, the results of minimum detectable activity for
depleted uranium, iodine, and cesium measured by gamma camera are presented, indicating that in
radiation accidents gamma camera could be used for DU intake dose estimation.
Received: 31 July 2003
Accepted: 5 December 2003
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