Anderson radiotherapy accident, 2003 (original) (raw)

Database of radiological incidents and related events--Johnston's Archive

compiled by Wm. Robert Johnston
last modified 22 October 2008

**Date:8 August 2003Location:Community Hospital, Anderson, Indiana, United StatesType of event:accidental radiotherapy exposure to fetusDescription:**A pregnant woman was administered hyperthyroidism treatment. The woman believed her medical conditions prevented her from being able to become pregnant and declined a pregnancy test prior to treatment. She was administered 29.8 mCi of iodine-131 for hyperthyroidism treatment. She was later found to have been 15 weeks' pregnant at the time of treatment; dosage to the fetus was estimated at 7.4 rads whole body and 27,800 rads to the thyroid, with fetal thyroid ablation anticipated. The licensee attributed the accident to human error by the patient.

**Consequences:**1 injury

References:

• Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 2004, "Draft Report to Congress on Abnormal Occurrences, Fiscal Year 2003," NUREG-0090 Vol. 26, NRC, on line [http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/commission/secys/2004/secy2004-0046/attachment1.pdf].

© 2007, 2008 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 22 October 2008.
Return to Home. Return to Nuclear Weapons Resources. Return to Database of radiological incidents and related events.