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20 March 2010

Answer to Question #1919 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Radiation Workers

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

I have been working with ¹²⁵I-labeled peptide in a molecular biology lab for almost half a year; the dosage is about 50 microcuries per week. Everything is on the bench, without further lead protection. What would be the risk for potential pregnancies in two years?

If your film badge readings have always been below the maximum permissible limits (MPL), then you should not be concerned about exposure to your ovaries and the possible effects on your ova and therefore your future children. You should know that your ovaries get lower exposures than your film badge readings. Remember that individuals who have been exposed to radiation therapy or the atomic bomb (very high exposures), if they are fertile, do not have a measurably increased risk of birth defects or children with genetic diseases. So you need not be concerned about these risks, no more than any healthy women with no reproductive problems or family history of genetic disease. The background risk for birth defects is 3% and for miscarriage, 15%.

Robert Brent MD, PhD

Answer posted on 9 May 2002. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.