Sec. 19.3] THE SAFE HANDLING OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS 453 



does not perhaps seem to be warranted in smaller laboratories where lesser 

 amounts of activity are used. In the government laboratories periodic 

 physical examinations, complete blood counts, and urinalyses have been 

 done on all potentially exposed persons, as well as such special studies as 

 examinations of the fingers for skin effects and assay of the urine for radio- 

 activity as an indicator of internal deposition. 



In laboratories where medicolegal considerations are taken into account, 

 it would seem wise to provide for initial physical examination, chest x-ray, 

 and clinical laboratory studies in an attempt to rule out the presence of 

 malignancies or blood dyscrasias which might be linked to radiation exposure. 

 Periodic examinations, especially of the blood, and terminal examinations 

 would also seem indicated. In laboratories where these considerations are 

 not important, it would nevertheless seem wise to provide, in addition to 

 personnel monitoring with film badges or pocket electroscopes, at least for 

 hematological observation of those workers who are potentially exposed to 

 significant amounts of radiation or who may work with radiation for long 

 periods of time. 



There is no evidence that chronic exposure to radiation in the tolerance 

 range will alter the normal blood picture, but blood counts may reveal 

 abnormalities suggestive of radiation changes and lead to investigation of 

 overexposures which might otherwise have gone unnoticed, or they may 

 reveal incidental abnormalities such as anemia which should be corrected 

 before work with radioactive material is undertaken. 



In any case where there has been an accidental ingestion or inhalation of 

 active material, or where it has been introduced into a wound, every effort 

 should be made to prevent absorption or deposition of the radioactivity in 

 the body. The methods employed will, of course, depend upon the circum- 

 stances, the type of material, etc. If the isotope has a long half-life and 

 follows a metabolic pathway that keeps it in the body for long periods of 

 time, the situation is very urgent. Copious washing of a contaminated 

 wound is indicated immediately with consideration given to avoiding the 

 spread of contamination to uninvolved areas; in rare instances, debridement 

 may be warranted. Gastric lavage in cases of ingestion is indicated. Efforts 

 should be made to determine from the material being handled exactly how 

 great the problem is. Subsequent medical treatment will depend on indi- 

 vidual circumstances. 



19.3. Laboratory Design. The special features required in the design of a 

 laboratory intended for radiochemical processes depend chiefly on the maxi- 

 mum level of activity that can be anticipated in future operations. When the 

 quantity of materials handled approaches the 100-millicurie level, special 

 precautions must be taken with regard to the health hazard in providing 

 effective shielding and ease of decontamination. Although shielding can 



