Contamination results when a radioisotope (as gas, liquid, or solid) is released into the environment and then ingested, inhaled, or deposited on the body surface.
How to diagnose:
Scan with appropriate radiation survey meter
As appropriate: swab orifices, obtain spot and/or 24 hour urine/stool sample for radioactivity
Whole-body scanner or hospital nuclear medicine equipment
Internal Contamination
Internal contamination results when radioactive material is taken into the body via inhalation or ingestion or open wounds.
Internal contamination continues until the radioactive material decays, is flushed from the body by natural processes, or is removed by medical countermeasures.
