The University of Arizona

The Radiation Control Office

Radiation Worker

Bioassays

• Bioassays are used to detect the internal presence of radioactivity in the body. They are not used for health screening or drug testing.
• Bioassays can be requested by an individual or Approval Holder and provided at no cost to the Radiation Worker.
• Bioassays can be required as an Approval condition or for pregnancy declaration.
• Two types of Bioassays performed by the RCO are:
  • Urine bioassay can detect radioactivity in urine. A urine sample is provided to the Radiation Control Office for analysis.
  • Thyroid bioassay is a non-invasive procedure performed in the Radiation Control Office to detect radioactivity in the Thyroid. This procedure will require a small amount of time to scan for possible thyroid uptake of I-125 or I-131 nuclides.
• Contact the Radiation Control Office at 626-6850 to schedule a Bioassay.