Which instrument or method is used to determine the amount and type of radioactivity in the body (gamma)?

Which instrument or method is used to determine the amount and type of radioactivity in the body (gamma)?

• A. Whole body counters
• B. Urinalysis
• C. Skin swab
• D. Breath analysis

Answer: (A)

Measuring internal gamma-emitting contamination with a dedicated instrument around the body is the approach used to determine both how much radioactivity is present and what type it is. A whole body counter surrounds or positions detectors around the person to detect gamma photons emitted from radionuclides inside the body, giving an estimate of the total activity and, from the gamma energy spectrum, identifying the specific isotope. This directly assesses the body's internal burden, which is essential for internal dosimetry. Urinalysis and skin swabs assess materials excreted or present on the surface, not the overall body burden, while breath analysis looks for volatile radionuclides in the inhaled or exhaled air. They don’t quantify internal gamma activity. So whole body counting is the best choice for determining both the amount and the type of gamma radioactivity inside the body.

Measuring internal gamma-emitting contamination with a dedicated instrument around the body is the approach used to determine both how much radioactivity is present and what type it is. A whole body counter surrounds or positions detectors around the person to detect gamma photons emitted from radionuclides inside the body, giving an estimate of the total activity and, from the gamma energy spectrum, identifying the specific isotope. This directly assesses the body's internal burden, which is essential for internal dosimetry. Urinalysis and skin swabs assess materials excreted or present on the surface, not the overall body burden, while breath analysis looks for volatile radionuclides in the inhaled or exhaled air. They don’t quantify internal gamma activity. So whole body counting is the best choice for determining both the amount and the type of gamma radioactivity inside the body.