Science Gateway
Radioisotope
Calcium - 45
Carbon - 14
Chromium - 51
Hydrogen - 3
Iodine - 125
Iron - 59
Manganese - 54
Phosphorus - 32
Phosphorus - 33
Sodium - 22
Sulfur - 35

SODIUM - 22

(22Na)

Physical Half-life: 2.6 years
Radiations:+ß 546 keV
Gamma/x511(180%) & 1275 keV

External Exposure:External hazard. Radiation dose from 1 mCi of 22Na is 128.6 mR/hr from gamma/x and 5168 mRads/hr from + ß at 10 cm away.
Biological Data: ALI 0.4 mCi (ingestion), 0.6 mCi (inhalation)
Biological half-life 11 days
Effective half-life 11 days
Critical Organs Whole body and gastrointestinal tract
Bioassay Urinalysis (Not routinely done.)
Shielding: HVL 0.7 cm of lead; TVL 2.79 cm of lead
Monitoring
& Efficiency		 LSC (Eff. ~90%)
NaI Gamma Counter (Eff. 30-60%)
Thin-window GM (Eff. ~20%)

Special Considerations

  • Use forceps with rubber sleeves to handle unshielded sources and potentially contaminated vessels, and work at arms length.

  • Near a 22Na source, beta radiation doses can be much higher than the gamma dose.

  • Shielding the high energy gamma radiation with lead will also stop all of the ß's and Bremstralung radiation.

  • Always store 22Na vials in lead containers or behind shields.

  • Wear a radiation badge when handling 1.0 mCi or more.

For additional information contact the Radiation Safety Program at 229-4275.

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Updated May 28, 2002 by SAK

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Department of Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management
©University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, 2002