Pro Nuclear Medicine's feed | Diigo Group

EBSCOhost

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 09:20:06 -0000

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Follow the PDF link on this page posted by cwilliamson

Highlights and Sticky Notes:

I like this article because it gives a nice overview of the whole debate. Go to the PDF link at the bottom to read the article itself. posted by cwilliamson

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Posted by: cwilliamson

EBSCOhost

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 09:13:21 -0000

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Although this article is from 1997 there is some good info here and it addresses the waste generated from the use of nuclear medicine posted by cwilliamson

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Posted by: cwilliamson

nuclear energy

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 12:17:45 -0000

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Posted by: miross

Science Resource Center -- Overview Display

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 12:04:41 -0000

Highlights and Sticky Notes:

Concerns With Nuclear Energy

Two of the biggest concerns about nuclear energy are the disposal of nuclear waste and the threat of a nuclear accident. Most spent fuel is stored temporarily at the reactor site in shielded, water-cooled tanks below ground, or in air-cooled containers placed above ground on concrete pads. The first permanent storage site for nuclear waste in the United States, located deep underground in the salt beds of New Mexico, opened in 1999. However, concerns persist about problems such as leakage of radiation into groundwater. In addition, care must be taken in transporting the radioactive waste to a disposal site. Although spent fuel is carried in heavy containers lined with lead (which blocks radiation), many people fear that an accident could cause radioactive materials to escape.

A nuclear accident is an even more frightening possibility, and there have already been several. The world's worst nuclear accident happened in April 1986 at the Chernobyl nuclear station in the Ukraine, a region of the former Soviet Union. A reactor raced out of control, leading to an explosion and fire that destroyed the plant and released a vast amount of radiation into the atmosphere. More than 30 workers were killed by the explosion or by exposure to fatal doses of radiation. Millions more people were exposed to high levels of radiation and had to be relocated from the area around the plant. Even surrounding countries were affected by the radioactive cloud that was released by the explosion. Seven years later, the government of the Ukraine was still spending 12 percent of its income to clean up and reduce the effects of the accident.

Address Both Concerns In Discussion posted by jameschen

"The accident occurred on April 25–26, 1986, when technicians at reactor Unit 4 attempted a poorly designed experiment. Workers shut down the reactor's power-regulating system and its emergency safety systems, and they withdrew most of the control rods from its core while allowing the reactor to continue running at 7 percent power. These mistakes were compounded by others, and at 1:23 AM on April 26 the chain reaction in the core went out of control." From Encyclopœdia Britannica posted by jameschen

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Posted by: jameschen

istockphoto_1584572_nuclear_waste.jpg (JPEG Image, 380x333 pixels)

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 12:02:50 -0000

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Radioactive Waste - picture
posted by teminner

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Posted by: teminner

General Nuclear Medicine

Sat, 22 Sep 2007 12:59:19 -0000

Comments:

Very Good site, lots of information, mostly Pros, some Cons on Nuclear Medicine. posted by mmudd14
Very Good Site, lots of information, mostly Pros, but some Cons of Nuclear Medicine. posted by mmudd14

Highlights and Sticky Notes:

It comprises diagnostic examinations that result in images of body anatomy and function. The images are developed based on the detection of energy emitted from a radioactive substance given to the patient, either intravenously or by mouth. Generally, radiation to the patient is similar to that resulting from standard x-ray examinations.

Tumors, infection and other disorders can be detected by evaluating organ function. Specifically,

Analyze kidney function
Image blood flow and function of the heart
Scan lungs for respiratory and blood-flow problems
Identify blockage of the gallbladder
Evaluate bones for fracture, infection, arthritis or tumor
Determine the presence or spread of cancer
Identify bleeding into the bowel
Locate the presence of infection
Measure thyroid function to detect an overactive or underactive thyroid

Usually, no special preparation is needed for a nuclear medicine examination.

procedure involves evaluation of the stomach, you may have to skip a meal before the test. If the procedure involves evaluation of the kidneys, you may need to drink plenty of water before the test.

You are given a small dose of radioactive material

localizes in specific body organ systems. This compound, called a radiopharmaceutical agent or tracer, eventually collects in the organ and gives off energy as gamma rays. The gamma camera detects the rays and works with a computer to produce images and measurements of organs and tissues.

radiopharmaceutical agent is usually administered into a vein. Depending on which type of scan

imaging will be done either immediately, a few hours later, or even several days after the injection.

radiopharmaceutical that is used is determined by what part of the body is under study

take several seconds to several days for the substance to travel through the body and accumulate in the organ under study, thus the wide range in scanning times.

While the images are being obtained, you must remain as still as possible.

After the procedure, a physician with specialized training in nuclear medicine checks the quality of the images to ensure that an optimal diagnostic study has been performed.

Some minor discomfort during a nuclear medicine procedure may arise from the intravenous injection, usually done with a small needle.

catheter may be placed into the bladder

special studies

cause temporary discomfort.

may be uncomfortable for some patients.

Lying still

Most of the radioactivity passes out of your body

rest simply disappears through natural loss of radioactivity over time.

Benefits

functional information provided by nuclear medicine examinations is unique and currently unattainable by using other imaging procedures. For many diseases, nuclear medicine studies yield the most useful information needed to make a diagnosis and to determine appropriate treatment, if any.

much less traumatic than exploratory surgery, and allergic reaction to the radiopharmaceutical material is extremely rare.

Risks

Also shows how these risks are RARE and MINIMUM (not very intense) posted by mmudd14

no known long-term adverse effects from such low-dose studies.

be sure to inform your physician if you are pregnant. In general, exposure to radiation during pregnancy should be kept to a minimum.

Allergic reactions to the radiopharmaceutical can occur, but are extremely rare.

Nuclear medicine procedures are time-consuming.

though new equipment is available that can substantially shorten the procedure time.

Tags: medicine nuclear

Posted by: mmudd14

Student Resource Center College Edition Document

Sat, 22 Sep 2007 11:14:55 -0000

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Posted by: mmudd14

Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center Document

Sat, 22 Sep 2007 11:14:55 -0000

Comments:

Here is some information on how Nuclear Medicine can help. posted by mmudd14
Here is some information on how Nuclear Medicine can help. posted by mmudd14

Tags: medicine nuclear

Posted by: mmudd14

Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center Document

Sat, 22 Sep 2007 11:14:55 -0000

Tags: medicine more nuclear

Posted by: mmudd14

Nuclear Energy

Sat, 22 Sep 2007 11:14:55 -0000

Comments:

I have not read this but thought it might help whoever is doing nuclear energy posted by mmudd14
I have not read this but thought it might help whoever is doing nuclear energy posted by mmudd14

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Posted by: mmudd14