Cadmium by in vivo neutron activation analysis

Effects of Cadmium Exposure in Humans

“…The determination of cadmium concentration in liver and kidney samples collected at autopsy or by biopsy provides a direct assessment of the cadmium body burden of population groups. Another approach, more directly useful on an individual basis consists in measuring in vivo by a neutron capture y-ray analysis technique the amounts of cadmium accumulated in tissues (BIGGIN et al 1974). Initially, the method used neutrons produced by a cyclotron (HARVEY et al 1975) but recently, a portable system has been developed (THOMAS et al 1979;AL-HADDAD et al 1981;V ARTSKY et al 1977).…”

Further scientific issues in determining an occupational standard for cadmium

“…In the early to mid-1970s it became clear that it was possible to measure the amount of cadmium stored in a person's body by using the developing technique of in vivo neutron activation analysis [Biggin et al, 1974;McLellan et al, 19751. In this case, neutrons are directed onto that part of a person's body, the liver or kidney, where cadmium is likely to accumulate.…”

Cadmium-Its in vivo detection in man

“…On neutron capture by 113Cd, prompt y-rays of various energies are emitted, the most prominent peak being at an energy of 0.559 MeV with a yield of 79.91 gammas per 100 neutrons, The resultant daughter isotope, 114Cd, is stable and therefore cannot be detected by the 'delayed' technique. Biggin et al (1972b), using prompt y-analysis, detected cadmium at physiological concentrations but only with the detector and sample in a highly idealized geometry. The present paper is concerned with the development of t'his method for in vivo application where anatomical variations introduce geometrical problems.…”