Publications by authors named "Derek Hammond"

Article Synopsis
  • * The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has not established dose coefficients specifically for inhaled tritiated steel, raising concerns over worker safety.
  • * Research, including studies in rodents and advanced modeling, determined a dose coefficient for inhaling tritiated steel particles, suggesting significant exposure risks for workers at different particle sizes.
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  • The Global Health Security Initiative (GHSI) created a lab network to improve response capabilities in case of a radiological emergency, focusing on radionuclide bioassays.
  • 18 laboratories participated in a test with a urine sample containing high-risk radionuclides to assess their ability to analyze and report results within 72 hours.
  • While all labs detected some radionuclides, many faced challenges in testing multiple radionuclides simultaneously and reporting consistent results, highlighting the need for improved collaboration and capacity building among the labs for emergency situations.
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Article Synopsis
  • The Global Health Security Initiative (GHSI) set up a lab network to improve their response to radiological or nuclear emergencies, focusing on radionuclide bioassay capabilities.
  • A recent exercise tested labs on their ability to screen biological samples for radionuclide contamination, specifically using urine samples spiked with Americium (Am), and evaluate their medical intervention strategies.
  • While labs demonstrated proficiency in rapid screening and dose assessment, gaps were identified, prompting the need for standardized practices and potential future exercises involving more international labs.
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Nine laboratories participated in an intercomparison exercise organised by the European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS) for emergency radiobioassay involving four high-risk radionuclides ((239)Pu, (241)Am, (90)Sr and (226)Ra). Diverse methods of analysis were used by the participating laboratories for the in vitro determination of each of the four radionuclides in urine samples. Almost all the methods used are sensitive enough to meet the requirements for emergency radiobioassay derived for this project in reference to the Clinical Decision Guide introduced by the NCRP.

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Nondestructive digital processing methods such as lab color mode (available in Adobe Photoshop) are emerging as alternative methods for forensic document examiners to use when attempting to differentiate writing instrument inks. Although these techniques appear to be viable, little data currently exists regarding the known or potential error rates associated with these techniques. Without adequate data, the validity and reliability of these techniques, including lab color, can not be established.

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