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
Incorporation
After inhalation, ingestion, or wound contamination, small radioisotope particles may be transported via blood or lymphatics into cells, tissues, and organs.
Specific medications (decorporation agents) or other procedures (e.g., diuresis) may be needed to remove radioisotopes that have been incorporated into tissues.
Toxic effects of radioisotopes may be due to their chemical and/or radiological properties.