Sir/madam, My Aunt(age-48) Has Been Given 100MCI Of I-131 For

Posted on Sat, 14 Nov 2020

Question: Sir/madam, my aunt(age-48) has been given 100MCI of I-131 for treatment of papilary thyroid cancer after her surgery. She is under room isolation in home after the treatment. my query is after how many days my baby boy( 1 year) can safely go near her ????

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
A time duration of 25 days may be safe for the boy

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.

As per guidelines it can be safe for your boy to safely go near your aunt after 25 days from the date of radioactive iodine treatment.

Please confirm the same with her doctors if needed.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (54 minutes later)

Thanks a lot Sir. Sir, 1 last query- In our home the toilet waters and wastes are stored in a closed tank(the tank is exposed to soil at it's buttom at about 5 feet depth) and her bathing water and tooth brushing water are flushed to an open small unused pond. Both tank and pond are backside of my house. Can the I-131 be exposed via soil ???? Because since immediately after the treatment she is isolated in home

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (33 hours later)

Brief Answer:
The water and soil contamination is not a serous concern

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing in to us.

Soil contamination due to treatment with 100 mCi I131 as mentioned in your query is not a serious concern. The water in the tank will get diluted and disintegrated in sometime and will not enter the soil in harmful quantity.

You are safe from contamination if she is isolated in home.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar