118 



RADIOISOTOPES IN BIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE 



animals is shown in Fig. 4-4. The isotope preparations are performed in 

 the high-level (hot) laboratory. The animals to be treated are held in 

 stanchions in the metabolism (hot animal) room or in the operating room, 

 usiiall.v the former. The radioactive solutions are then wheeled on a 

 shielded cart to the animal. The metabolism room provides space for 

 various stalls and cages which can be arranged at will. The concrete 

 pad adjacent to the metabolism room is a very convenient location for 



rLocker 



Feet 

 rr I I I I '1 

 1 2 3 4 5 6 



Fig. 4-3. Typical six-room radiochemical laboratory of about 1300 ft^. 

 indicate air-flow pattern. 



Arrows 



washing large objects such as the collection trays. The rest of the barn 

 is of conventional design since no significant amounts of radioactivity are 

 used therein. 



Specifications. Floors should be covered so that radioactive liquids 

 cannot soak into wood or concrete, which are most difficult to decon- 

 taminate. Asphalt tile, rubber tile, vinyl tile, and linoleum have been 

 found suitable, with the primary advantage that contaminated sections 

 can be removed and readily replaced. Cracks between squares can be 

 satisfactorily filled by heavy waxing of the surface. 



Walls and ceilings are less likely to become contaminated than floors. 



