Radiation alarms designed to detect nuclear devices could be triggered by patients receiving treatment with radioisotopes, said doctors in the latest British Medical Journal. The warning follows an incident where a patient activated an airport radiation detector six weeks after receiving radioiodine therapy. The patient was consequently detained and subjected to an extensive search and questioning. Luckily in this case, the patient was carrying a treatment card and was released, but only after a prolonged delay and much embarrassment. Radiotherapy treatment is relatively common and radioisotopes are used in many diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Unfortunately, these treatments also render the patient temporarily radioactive. Patients receiving Iodine-131 therapy should be particularly careful because they may trigger an alarm up to 95 days after treatment, says the article.
The article cites a number of other cases; one involved two patients attempting to enter the White House in the U.S. for a tour, and another involved a man triggering the security alarm at his bank. The researchers involved suggest that doctors should advise patients who are about to receive radioisotopes to avoid close contact with other people, don't try to conceive, and take their radiation certificates when flying.
"Airports worldwide are deploying more sensitive radiation detection systems and hence one would expect more such cases unless we take responsibility of forewarning our patients," the article stated. "Hence, we felt it was important to dissipate this information in the hope that this will prevent further unnecessary harassment and embarrassment to patients."
Source: British Medical Journal
