Body Monitoring Service

The body monitoring service at the UK Health Security Agency, Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards Directorate (UKHSA RCE) has a range of systems to measure radionuclides within the body using detectors positioned outside the body. Radionuclides may enter the body by inhalation, ingestion or contamination of a wound.

 

RCE systems are suitable for measurement of radionuclides which emit low energy as well as higher energy photons (e.g. americium-241, caesium-137, cobalt-60).

 

Types of monitoring offered include:

  • Standard whole body monitoring following a suspected intake of a radioactive substance
  • Before and after whole body monitoring, for instances where there is a known potential for exposure. The before measurement acts as a baseline against which the after measurement can be compared
  • Specific organ monitoring, e.g. lungs, liver
  • Bespoke wound monitoring.

Bespoke low background facility

Although the UKHSA body monitoring service is not an Approved Dosimetry Service (ADS), the service has around 40 years' experience of measuring internal contamination in people.

Flexible and adaptable facility

Potential users are encouraged to contact the team to discuss the best monitoring method

Transportable body monitor

The UKHSA body monitoring service is able to deploy a transportable system to make measurements in the field

Enquiries from industry are welcome. However, requests from private individuals will be considered only after referral by a GP or hospital consultant.

For more information on body monitoring services at UKHSA RCE please email body.monitoring@ukhsa.gov.uk