Radon gas is enclosed in quartz or glass ampules by subjecting the gas sealed at a low pressure in the ampules to an ionization process. This process is useful for preparing fixed radon sources for radiological treatment of malignancies, without the danger of releasing radioactive gases

Fields, P. R.

Stein, L.

Zirin, M. H.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

November 1966	 Brief 66-10468 
•
IGY
AEC-NASA TECH BRIEF 
AEC-NASA Tech Briefs describe innovations resulting from the research and development program 
of the U.S. AEC or from AEC-NASA interagency efforts. They are issued to encourage commercial 
application. Tech Briefs are published by NASA and may be purchased, at 15 cents each, from 
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Radon Gas, Useful for Medical Purposes, Safely Fixed in Quartz 
The problem: 2. This process should be useful for preparing fixed 
Radon, a gaseous element used as a source of radia- radon 'sources for radiological treatment of malig-
tion, is commonly enclosed in quartz or glass ampules nancies, without the danger of releasing radioactive 
for localized radiological administration. Should one gases. If an ampule were to break accidentally, the 
of these ampules be accidentally broken, the released embedded radon could be recovered for safe dis-
radioactive gas would contaminate the atmosphere posal by collecting the fragments of the ampule. 
and present a hazard to personnei in the immediate 3. Additional information is contained in "Noble Gas 
vicinity. This hazard could be eliminated if it were Compounds", edited with Introductions by Herbert 
possible to fix the radon in a solid. One method of H. Hyman; The University of Chicago Press-
accomplishing this is to convert the radon into a fluo- Chicago and London. The University of Toronto 
ride, which is a salt of relatively low volatility. Press-Toronto 5, Canada. Library of Congress 
Another solution: Catalog Number: 63-20907. 
Embed the radon in the walls of quartz or glass am- 4. Inquiries concerning this innovation may be di- pules by subjecting the gas sealed at a low pressure in
rected to: 
the ampules to an ionization process. 
How it's done: Office of Industrial Cooperation 
A small quantity of radon mixed with an ionizable Argonne National Laboratory 9700 S. Cass Avenue gas (e.g., oxygen or nitrogen) is sealed in the ampules Argonne, Illinois 60439 
at a pressure of 2 to 10 mm of mercury. The ampules Reference: B66-10468 
are then subjected to a Tesla coil discharge to initiate 
ionization of the gas mixture. The gas is maintained in Patent status: 
the ionized state for approximately 3 hours by irradi- Inquiries about obtaining rights for commercial use 
ating the ampules with microwaves from a standard
of this innovation may be made to: 
medical diathermy unit. At the end of the process, all 
of the radon in the gas mixture will be embedded in Mr. George H. Lee, Chief 
the walls of the ampules. Radon fixed in quartz am- Chicago Patent Group 
pules by this process could not be removed by heating U.S. Atomic Energy Commission 
the ampules at temperatures above 9506 C. After a Chicago Operations Office 
period of decay, however, radon daughters may be 9800 S. Cass Avenue 
driven out of the quartz in a high vacuum at approxi- Argonne, Illinois 60439 
mately 6009C, leaving pure radon 222 (3.8-day half life) Source: Paul R. Fields, 
still embedded in the quartz. Lawrence Stein, and Moshe H. Zirin Chemistry Division 
Notes: 
1. Washing the ampules with water or acids will not (ARG-2) 
remove the embedded radon. The ampules must 
not be washed with alkaline solutions. Category 04
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the Atomic	 liability resulting from the use of the information contained in this 
Energy Commission and/or the National Aeronautics and Space document, or warrants that the use of any information, apparatus, 
Administration. Neither the United States Government nor any per- 	 method, or process disclosed in this document may not infringe pri-
son acting on behalf of the United States Government assumes any vately owned rights. 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19660000467 2020-03-11T17:37:05+00:00Z


Radon gas, useful for medical purposes, safely fixed in quartz

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

NASA Technical Reports Server