Alarms over radiation from thyroid cancer patients

[babylonsister]

Alarms over radiation from thyroid cancer patients
AP

By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press Writer – 2 hrs 21 mins ago


WASHINGTON – Cancer patients sent home after treatment with radioactive iodine have contaminated hotel rooms and set off alarms on public transportation, a congressional investigation has found.

They've come into close contact with vulnerable people, including pregnant women and children, and the household trash from their homes has triggered radiation detectors at landfills.

Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., says the problem stems from a decision years ago by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to ease requirements that thyroid cancer patients remain in the hospital a few days after swallowing doses of radioactive iodine to shrink their tumors.

"There is a strong likelihood that members of the public have been unwittingly exposed to radiation from patients," Markey wrote Wednesday in a letter to the NRC that details findings by his staff. "This has occurred because of weak NRC regulations, ineffective oversight of those who administer these medical treatments, and the absence of clear guidance to patients and to physicians."

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101020/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_radioactive_patients

[Hekate]

1. The tech at my vet's office is being treated for thyroid cancer and they sent her to a hotel...

... because it wasn't "safe" for her to be at home. My first question when I heard that was, "What about the hotel workers?!" Good gravy, all the maids changing sheets and towels are women, some of whom are bound to be pregnant.

It's in no way the tech's fault, because she is really sick (I don't know why she waited 3 years to have those nodules biopsied, but she's in real trouble now) -- but this going to a hotel thing is one of the stupidest things ever.

Several years ago my husband and I took his radioactive mom home with us for several weeks because we didn't have any children at home and my SIL had a new baby in the house. I followed all the protocols, which were pretty minimal. Basically when I did the washing, I did her clothes, sheets, and towels in a separate load. Was that or was that not sufficient?

Oh shit.

Hekate

[Skidmore]

2. I stayed at home after my treatment,

put plastic on the bed and burned it and the bedding I used. I used a separate bathroom which was thoroughly cleaned out. Limited the clothing I wore to 2-3 items which were also burned. Prepared my own food separately and used disposable cutlery and paper plates, not that I ate much then because I simply didn't feel well. I missed the birth of my third grandchild, who I did not see until she was 6 mos old.

[Throckmorton]

3. Im a nuclear plant worker

Several years ago, a co-worker had Iodine treatments for a hyperactive thyroid. Even after staying home for 3 weeks, he still alarmed Rad monitors upon exiting the site for weeks. He was banned from all RCA's for about 5 months.

The HP Engineer said that even after 3 weeks at home, his thyroid was still 200 Mr on contact.

He would alarm portal monitors 10 yards away.

[Throckmorton]

4. Im a nuclear plant worker

Several years ago, a co-worker had Iodine treatments for a hyperactive thyroid. Even after staying home for 3 weeks, he still alarmed Rad monitors upon exiting the site for weeks. He was banned from all RCA's for about 5 months.

The HP Engineer said that even after 3 weeks at home, his thyroid was still 200 Mr on contact.

He would alarm portal monitors 10 yards away.

[babylonsister]

5. How are you, Throckmorton?

I remember you, and haven't seen you in a long time. Hope you are well, and thanks for that scary piece of info. Very scary.

[Throckmorton]

8. I am very well thank you

I am re-married, it is hard to belevie it but it is almost 7 years since my first wife died.
Along with my two children from my first marrage, ages 15 and 13, we just adopted a 3 year old boy, which at 48, keeps me very busy.

[babylonsister]

10. Wonderful, I'm very happy for you, and thanks for sharing. nt

[sinkingfeeling]

6. Our local radiologists have said risks from second-hand I-131 exposure is very low. They spoke

to my SPOHNC group. Here's an article from 2008 discussing it.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-11-18-thyroid-cover_N.htm

[BlueIris]

7. I've been hearing about this for a while. Scares me a lot. nt

[NeoGreen]

9. I was diagnosed with Graves disease in 2000...

.. (Hyperthyroidism) at the age of 35 and was given two options; surgery or iodine.

Being in the environmental field professionally, and generally aware of radioactive contamination issues, I was "uncomfortable" with the iodine option. I told the Endo to 'stick-it' on that one.

However, when my choice for a surgeon was denied by my insurance (my SIL is a surgical nurse and gave me names of the 'good' surgeons in the area) for being 'out of network' I opted to 'ride it out' and see if I could be one of the 5% who become Euthyroid (normal) without intervention (beyond taking PTU and monitoring).

My liver was and has been fine and I've been 'normal' since 2007.

I'm glad I took the route I did. At least so far I have had 3+ years of not being Hypo (the consequence of the original two options I was presented with) and seem to be doing fine.

It is worth it to do your own research, Docs don't always tell you everything you need to know to make an informed decision.

NeoGreen