US rules for radiation therapy stricter for pets than humans
DEC 09, 2010
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.024894
New York Times : Congressman Edward Markey (D-MA) has complained to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that its radiation safety rules are less stringent for human patients than they are for animal patients. At issue is the in-patient recovery time for people and pets who receive radiation therapy for thyroid disease. During and after the treatment, the patients emit radioactivity, which can be harmful to children and pregnant women. Whereas pets are required to stay at the animal hospital for several days, humans are dismissed on the day of the treatment—even though they typically receive much higher radiation doses than pets do.
© 2010 American Institute of Physics
